La Salle, Ateneo split Milcu cage matches

MANILA, Philippines -  La Salle and Ateneo split their matches in separate divisions to stay in the hunt in the Milcu Sports Basketball Summer Showcase at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan last Monday.

Ricci Rivero shot 22 points and earned the A Game Player of the Week honors as the Green Archers downed the Blue Eagles, 80-71, in the 25-under division of the tournament organized by Got Skills and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Meanwhile, Dave Ildefonso finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Kai Sotto added 15 markers and 12 rebounds as the Blue Eaglets trounced the La Salle Greenhills side, 89-68, in the 19-U tournament backed by Gamboa Sports, Gatorade, LGR, Clyde Shoe Cleaner, Basketball TV, Gerry’s Grill, Rain or Shine, Honda Cars Greenhills, FMR Bus Services, Coach Athletic Tape, Mighty Sports, Patricio’s Online Sneaker Store, and Secret Fresh.

For the first time in league history, the two matches were shown on Facebook Live via Basketball TV and powered by Smart.

The Green Archers rallied from a 54-63 deficit behind a 10-2 run to pull within one then closed out with eight straight points to complete the win.

The Blue Eaglets, meanwhile, scored the 21-point rout via wire-to-wire fashion, surging to a 15-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 29-14, before cruising the rest of the way.