Blue Eagles smother Green Lancers to snatch CCL title

The Ateneo Blue Eagles bagged the 2007 Collegiate Champions League title on Wednesday by nipping the University of Visayas Green Lancers at The Arena in San Juan. Veteran Rabeh Al-Hussaini shot a career-high of 23 points on top of 8 rebounds and 2 blocks for the Blue Eagles. "We went into game thinking that we can beat any team," Ateneo coach Norman Black said. "The boys worked hard in practice and they deserve to win." The 6-foot-7 Al Hussaini and National Team member Chris Tiu started the onslaught on both ends of the court from the opening tip off, giving the Eagles a commanding 21-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Seven-time CESAFI champions Lancers had more attempts at 69-64, but struggled on their shots the whole game for a dismal 32 per cent field goal percentage. The Lancers were also whistled for 17 fouls, while the Eagles only had eight. UAAP Mythical Five member Tiu backstopped Al-Hussaini with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Von Lanete was the only bright spot for the Lancers with 13 points. Earlier, STI College Olympians, the NAASCU champions, upended UAAP semifinalists UST Growling Tigers in overtime, 87-81, in the battle for third. Tiu and Al-Hussaini were later joined by teammate Nonoy Baclao, UST’s Dylan Ababou and UV’s Rino Berame in the Mythical First Team. STI’s Ramon Mabayo, UST’s Jervy Cruz, Ateneo’s Ken Barracoso and UV’s Ariel Medaña and Chris Diputado composed the Mythical Second Team. The Eagles also copped the Best Defensive Team plum, while their energy player Baclao, who comes from West Negros University, was named season MVP in a tournament spearheaded by the BAP-Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas. "It’s a pretty nice win for us since it will boost our confidence in the coming off-season tournaments and hopefully, until the UAAP season next year," Black added. - GMANews.TV