Ateneo survives Tokai to emerge as World University Basketball Series champion

Ateneo de Manila University survived a late rally from home team Tokai University of Japan, 68-59, to rule the inaugural edition of the World University Basketball Series (WUBS) on Thursday at the Yoyogi National Stadium.

The Blue Eagles finished unscathed in the four-team field, going 3-0 to emerge as the champions.

Ateneo initially had a difficult time keeping the Japanese at bay, leading only 28-26 at halftime in a low-scoring ball game. At the end of the third quarter, the Tab Baldwin-mentored squad was just up by two, 43-41, as the Seagulls continued to knock on their door.

But they turned things around in the fourth. The Filipinos mounted a scintillating 17-4 rampage led by Dave Ildefonso and Filipino-American Paul Garcia to erect a 15-point lead, 60-45.

Tokai drew some fouls to slice its deficit to a single digit, 65-59. But three straight free throws from Kai Ballungay and Sean Quetevis sealed the title for Ateneo.

The Blue Eagles dominated almost all departments, shooting 43 percent from two-point field and 28 percent from the three-point area while also outrebounding Tokai, 57 to 44.

The Philippine representatives also had 16 assists against Tokai's 11 as they cruised to the tournament sweep.

Ateneo previously defeated Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) of Indonesia in the opener and National Chengchi University (NCCU) of Chinese Taipei on Wednesday to jumpstart its offseason activities.

Tokai wound up second with a 2-1 card while NCCU (2-1) and UPH (0-3) finished third and fourth, respectively.

—MGP, GMA News