By NIKOLE JAVIER
Defending champion Ateneo missed its back-to-back title shot after falling to Japan’s Hakuoh University, 73-58, in the semifinals of the World University Basketball Series (WUBS) on Saturday, Aug. 12 at the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium in Tokyo.
The third quarter saw the Blue Eagles trail by a single possession, 43-40, before the Soldiers exploded in the closing stages of the match that set the tone for a runaway win.
The reigning UAAP champion opened its title-retention campaign with a 38-point romp of University of Sydney, 88-50, a day prior.
With the loss, Ateneo was relegated to the battle for third clash against the US’ NCAA Division I Big South Conference bronze medalists Radford University Highlanders.
The American squad suffered an upset loss against National Chengchi University Griffins on the same day.
No Blue Eagle breached the double-digit mark, with 2022 WUBS MVP Kai Ballungay finishing with only nine points and five rebounds.
