MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo squeaked past archrival La Salle Greenhills, 71-69, at the start of the third Freego Filipino-Chinese Basketball League (FCBL) Cup at the Phil. Buddhacare Gym in Quezon City over the weekend.
Von Pessumal hit a jumper in the closing seconds to preserve the win for the Blue Eaglets in the annual high school cagefest backed by Smart Communications.
Pessumal scored a game-high 18 points to bag the Freego Best Player of the Game award. Kiefer Ravena added 16 points while Lambert Tenorio had 10 for Ateneo.
The game was tight from start to finish with the Eaglets holding on to a 69-67 lead when the Greenies missed the potential-game tying basket that paved the way for Pessumal’s basket with 32 seconds left.
Thomas Torres led LSGH with 16 points while Michael Pate chipped in 15 in the opening game of the tournament supported by Mighty Sports, Energen, Colt Commercial, Star Galaxy Industrial Fabricator Inc., Powerbest Marketing Inc., Mandarin Sky Seafood and Shabu-Shabu Restaurant, Multimotors Auto Part Inc. and Apple Tape.