Kiefer Ravena lifts Ateneo past UE with career-high 38 points
Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo try to dribble pass Dan Alberto of UE ,at the MOA Arena .
INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines — Kiefer Ravena scored career-high 38 points as Ateneo came back from 21 points down to stun hard-luck University of the East, 93-91, in overtime in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ravena hit a jumper after shaking off his defender Paul Varilla that forced overtime, 80-all, with 23.4 seconds left in regulation before hitting a 3-pointer over Roi Sumang that put the Blue Eagles ahead by six, 91-85, with 59.4 ticks to go in extra session.
“It was just desire for us being able to come back from 21 points,” said Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol.
“I always give it to the leader who’s Kiefer. He’s always going to be the one who’s going to lead. It doesn’t matter if he’s going to score or not. He’s just the epitome of showing the can-do attitude regardless of the situation,” Perasol said of his fourth-year star after his team secured the top spot at the end of the first round with a 6-1 record.
Swingman Von Pessumal also came up big for the Eagles with 19 points on six-of-seven shooting from long range and so did Chris Newsome who had 18 points and nine rebounds.
But at the most pressure-packed moments, Ravena, who scored the game-winning basket in a win over University of Santo Tomas just last Wednesday, got Ateneo covered.
“Obviously, he was able to deliver for us again. Although it was a team effort, Newsome, Von, Nico (Elorde) and Arvin (Tolentino) and some of the big men who guarded Mammie. But I have to give credit where credit is due and that’s going to be Kiefer.”
“We’re lucky, we’re blessed enough to be in a situation where we never got last year. We need to continue it and learn from our mistakes from this round and apply it,” said Ravena referring to his team’s fifth place finish last season.
“The second round will be just as tough or even tougher so we have to prepare for that and come out with the proper mind set,” added Ravena.
Roi Sumang also had a career game with 30 points but his 3-pointer as time ran out in regulation was way off and his drive attempt in OT with the Red Warriors trailing by just two, 90-92, with 5.3 was blocked by Arvin Tolentino before going out of bounds as the possession went back to the Eagles.
The Warriors, who built and blew a 38-17 lead they established in the second quarter, reeled to their fourth straight setback after starting the season with wins over lightweights Adamson and University of the Philippines.
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