ATENEO made some noise in its Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL) debut.
The Blue Eaglets defeated Xavier School 68-67 during their Sunday afternoon faceoff at the Tanduay Gym in Manila in the league that is presented by URATEX, Jollibee, Strong Group Athletics, and in partnership with JETOUR, World Balance, and Molten as official game ball.
“Sobrang lupit. ‘Di ko inaakala yun eh, pero sa teammate ko talaga ‘yon,” said World Balance Player of the Game Jay M Leal who had 21 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks.
Leal was referring to the buzzer-beating floater of his fellow Blue Eaglet Renzo Gatmaitan who tallied two of his nine total points in the most crucial point of the contest.
As Ateneo was down by a point with only 3.2 seconds remaining in the game, Chris Urbina dished the inbound pass to Gatmaitan who then faked his defender to get some space and drove to the basket. He eventually sank the game-winning floater to give the Loyola-based school a winning debut in the NGBL.
On the other hand, leading the valiant stand of Xavier were Gavin Uy and Andrew Chio who each had 15 in their debut in the NGBL which is supported by Team Rebel Sports Pilipinas, the official league outfitter, RICA UPVC Aluminum Glass and Trading Corp., Verleo Catering as official caterer, Tanduay Athletics, MET Food Corporation, official hydration partners Gatorade & Summit Natural Drinking Water, Converge as official internet provider, and Crocs.
Meanwhile, in another close encounter, Far Eastern University-Diliman toppled San Beda University 62-59.
“Ginawa namin lahat. Nung naghahabol kami, sinabi lang ni coach Allan [Albano], bawi lang tayo. Ginawa lang namin lahat sa depensa, at nag usap-usap lang kami sa loob, said WB Player of the Game Wilham Cabonilas who had 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block.
