Eagles, Stags go for jugular today

Game today (The Arena)
3:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs. San Sebastian

The San Sebastian Stags get one last shot at becoming the first ever squad from the NCAA to hoist the Philippine Collegiate Champions League crown as they face off against the reigning back-to-back champions, Ateneo Blue Eagles, in the deciding Game 2 today at the Arena in San Juan City.

The Eagles pulled off a, 56-51 victory last Monday that nullified the Stags’ twice-to-beat advantage and sent the finals to today’s winner-take-all match.

2011 UAAP Finals MVP Nico Salva was the main catalyst for the victory as he scored 18 points  and had five rebounds. Eleven of those points came in the third period when the Eagles threatened to break the game wide open as the opened up a, 46-39 gap heading to the final canto. UAAP Rookie of the Year Kiefer Ravena added 10 points and five boards.

The Eagles are trying to end what has been a very fruitful year for their basketball program, with a bang. Ateneo has swept all of the tournaments they have joined, including the Fil-Oil preseason tournament, the UAAP and the University Games.

NCAA MVP Calvin Abueva had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds and almost carried the Stags to the title by his lonesome until Salva and Ravena’s heroics down the stretch.

Expected to boost the Stags’ chances today is the return of guard Jonathan Semira, who missed most of the NCAA season due to an ACL injury.

San Sebastian is already missing one-third of the Pinatubo Trio, in Ronald Pascual, who tore his ACL in the semifinal round.