UST nips Ateneo 5 to clinch first ever PCCL title

University of Santo Tomas executed when it mattered most as it exacted a sweet, sweet revenge on UAAP conqueror Ateneo, 8176, to seal its first ever championship in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the packed Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City yesterday.

Jeric Teng unleashed a 13- point fourth quarter splurge including three booming 3-pointers to finish with 22 points while Kevin Ferrer scattered 21 points, enough to power the Tigers to a 2-1 series victory over the Eagles and their first ever title in this annual event that gathered the best collegiate teams in the country today.

The dramatic victory also avenged UST's stinging twogame sweep at the hands of Ateneo in the 75th UAAP season that gave the latter its fifth straight championship.

It was a loss that still rankled around the Espanabased campus.

And this unforgettable win should come as a soothing balm for the grieving and wounded Tigers.

“Nakabawi din sa kanila (We finally got back at them),” said Teng, son of former PBA star and ironman Alvin.

For his finals heroics, Teng made it to the Mythical First Team that included teammate Karim Abdul of Cameroon and Jeric Fortuna and Ateneo's Kiefer Ravena and seven- footer Greg Slaughter and eventually the MVP award.

“This one's for the UST community and the people who supported us all along,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio, who was later named Coach of the Year.

Not only did the Tigers avenged their bitter UAAP defeat to the Eagles, the former also took home the top purse worth a cool P700,000 as icing on the cake.

The Espana- based dribblers also gave a fitting farewell gift to the pocket-sized but big-hearted Fortuna and Carmelo Afuang, who played practically their last game in a five-year tour of duty that is just short of a UAAP title.

“It's nice to play our last game for UST with a championship,” said Fortuna, who hit a tough, running jumper in one crucial stretch.

Up by just two points, Teng fueled a blistering 17-5 run he capped with a huge triple that saw UST erecting a 79-67 with over two minutes to go.

But Ateneo didn't give up as it uncorked a nine-point barrage anchored on a sevenpoint explosion by Ryan Buenafe to trim its deficit to 7679 with 39.5 seconds remaining.