Ateneo keeps Adamson winless, returns to Final 4

Chris Garcia of Adamson University and Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo de Manila University fight for the loose ball during their game at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday Sept. 6, 2014. Ateneo won 67-52 and returned to the Final Four of UAAP 77 after missing out on it in 2013. Noy Morcoso lll/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo booked a ticket back into the Final Four after beating Adamson, 67-52, in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Top MVP candidate Kiefer Ravena led the Blue Eagles, who hiked their record to 10-3 good for solo second place, anew with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Kiefer Ravena of ADMU takes a shot over Chris Garcia of Adamson University in their game at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday Sept 6, 2014. Ateneo won 67-52 and booked a return trip to the Final Four of UAAP 77. Noy Morcoso lll/INQUIRER.net

“Our defense kicked in during the third quarter and the early fourth quarter,” said Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol.

Chris Newsome wore a black mask after he was hit in the face in the Eagles game against University of the Philippines last Wednesday and still wound up with 12 points, half of which came in the fourth period.

After clinching a semifinals spot, the Eagles now set their sights on a top two finish. And a win over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, who are currently at the top of the standings with a 10-2 record, next Saturday will give them first place regardless if they end up sporting similar records due to superior quotient.

Adamson skipper Don Trollano tallied a game-high 20 points. The Falcons, who trailed by as much as 21 and never got a taste of the lead, dropped to 0-13.

Both teams shot below 35% from the field and committed a ton of turnovers.

Last year, Ateneo missed the Final Four after finishing in fifth place.