Blue Eagles soar to CCL finals over Growling Tigers, 92-66

UAAP semifinalist Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles whipped out some hot outside shooting to compliment their wearisome defense to whip the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 92-66, and finally advance to the finals of the 2007 Collegiate Champions League Cup Monday at the Arena in San Juan. National Team player Chris Tiu spearheaded a 13-4 run in the second quarter to give Ateneo a commanding 28-40 lead at the half that set the tone of the match. The Blue Eagles asserted their might further in the second half, as Kirk Long, Ford Arao, Rabeh Al Hussaini, and Ken Barracoso all found their marks one by one to outscore the Tigers in the entire half, 52-38. "We just played highly-physical basketball," Ateneo coach Norman Black said. "We controlled their big men." UST started strong in the contest and raced to a 7-0 lead with baskets from Japs Cuan and Jervy Cruz, but suddenly went flat when UAAP MVP Cruz picked up two fouls in the opening quarter. With Cruz in foul trouble, the Eagles mustered up courage to attack the paint for the rest of the way and sank 32 out of their 36 attempts from the free-throw line. Former Xavier standout Tiu paced the Eagles with 19 points, while senior Ford Arao chipped in 13 markers. Ababou had a game-high 22 points in a losing effort for the Tigers, as Cruz was limited to eight points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes of action. Earlier, the University of Visayas Green Lancers barged into the finals for the first time since 2003 by outlasting the STI Olympians, 90-81. - GMANews.TV