Ateneo blasts UP for 4th straight win

MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Blue Eagles did their damage early and were in control most of the game to take down the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 74-65, for their fourth straight win on Wednesday, November 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The victory improves Ateneo’s record to 8-4, and with the now 9-3 UST Growling Tigers losing their game earlier against the UE Red Warriors, the race for the number two seed in the league standings heats up as the UAAP elimination round hits its stretch run.

UP came in to the game with an outside shot for the fourth and final Four Four seed, but those hopes have dampened with their record now down to 3-8.

Kiefer Ravena led a well-balanced attack for Ateneo with 16 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds, while rookie Adrian Wong had his best game of the season with 14 points and 3 boards.

As a team, the Blue Eagles shot 52% from the field and 44% from downtown while limiting UP to 34% shooting and a 2-of-21 display from long range.

“After a 10-day break, we really benefited from it, kasi yung games namin gitgitan (because our games were tight) – especially the last two before the long break,” Ravena said post-game.

“It doesn’t really matter who gets the points. As long as we win, that’s what matters to us,” said Wong.

Ateneo raced off to a 19-11 lead after one quarter and hit the first basket of the second period to make it a 22-11 game that eventually led to a 45-26 edge at the half.

The Fighting Maroons rallied in the third period where they outscored the Blue Eagles 18-9. 

After a Ravena jumper made the count 52-36 with 3:30 left in the quarter, UP rattled off an 8-1 run thanks to baskets by Paul Desiderio, Diego Dario, and Agustini Amar to cut the lead to 9.

But not long after, jumpers by Ravena and Wong extended the lead back to 15, and Ateneo cruised the rest of the way.

Dario led UP with 13 points while Amar finished with 11. Jett Manuel had 10 points.

The Blue Eagles have two remaining games against La Salle and UE, and victories against both are vital if they want at least a playoff for the second seed.

“We have 3 days left to prepare for La Salle… they’re going to be fresh. We have to take advantage,” said Ravena, who could play in potentially his last ever DLSU-ADMU game.

“This is going to be [potentially] Kiefer’s last Ateneo-La Salle game. This is going to be [potentially] my Ateneo-La Salle. It’s going to be a battle for us,” said Blue Eagles head coach Bo Perasol, whose team blew a 15-point lead and lost to the Green Archers in their last game.

“I know that we can be better but I’m happy where we’re playing now in the second round,” said Perasol.

Scores:

ADMU (74): Ravena 16, Wong 14, Tolentino 8, Ikeh 6, Gotladera 6, Pessumal 5, Nieto 5, Babilonia 4, Capacio 4, Black 2, Tolentino 2, Go 2

UP (65): Dario 13, Amar 11, Manuel 10, Desiderio 8, Kone 7, Moralde 4, Harris 4, Vito 4, Gallarza 2, Lim 2, Juruena 0, Asilum 0, Longa 0, Jaboneta 0

Quarter scores: 19-11, 45-26, 54-44, 74-65 – Rappler.com