Eagles repulse Archers again

ATENEO’S Kiefer Ravena slips past De La Salle’s Robert Bolick in yesterday’s match at Filoil Flying V Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

KIEFER Ravena erupted for 31 points as Ateneo turned back fierce rival La Salle, 78-70, yesterday and then announced its withdrawal due to player injuries from the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Fresh from their overseas training, the Blue Eagles came out firing early and pulled away by as many as 20 points, 55-35, in the second half despite missing five men with various injuries.

The Eagles, who will be gunning for a sixth straight UAAP championship this season, were down to 10 men with big men Kris Porter (knee), JP Erram (MCL) and Gideon Babilonia (shoulder), and Gwynne Capacio (hamstring) and Von Pessumal (fractured finger) in sick bay.

“I think we can’t go on playing like this, I can’t just play with 10 players all the time,” said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol.
“Maybe I can sustain that for a game but I don’t think we can sustain that for half a season.”

“The coaching staff feels if we continue to play 10 players in a game it could mean more injuries,” added Ateneo athletic director Ricky Palou.

Ateneo’s decision to drop out ceded the top spot in Group B to University of the East, which wound up tied with La Salle at 6-2 but had  a higher quotient.

Earlier, Rome dela Rosa drilled 18 points as San Beda outlasted Adamson, 75-68, to clinch the third spot in Group A with a 6-2 record in the other game.

Arthur dela Cruz and Baser Amer also teamed up for 25 markers for the Lions, who survived the Falcons’ 13-4 rally in the last four minutes.

Knights gain

Eliminated Letran also gained from the Ateneo pullout as league officials picked the Knights (4-4) to complete the Group A quarterfinal cast.

The quarterfinal round fires off tomorrow with Arellano University tangling with University of Santo Tomas in the 2 p.m. opener.

University of the East will take on Adamson University in the 4 p.m. main match.

The scores:
First Game
SAN BEDA 75—Dela Rosa 18, Dela Cruz 13, Amer 12, Adeogun 10, A. Semerad 7, Abarcar 4, Pascual 4, Sara 3, Koga 2, Mendoza 2, D. Semerad 0, Ludovice 0, Villaruz 0.
ADAMSON 68—Cruz 15, Cabrera 10, Petilos 10, Brondial 8, Sewa 7, Rios 6, Monteclaro 4, Abrigo 4, Iñigo 2, Agustin 2, Ochea 0, Cabigas 0.
Quarters: 18-12, 29-36, 58-47, 75-68
Second Game
ATENEO 78—Ravena 31, Tiongson 15, Golla 12, Asistio 6, Tolentino 5, Newsome 4, Elorde 3, Buenafe 2, Murphy 0, Lim 0.
LA SALLE 70—Perkins 15, Vosotros 14, Teng 14, T. Torres 9, Van Opstal 9, N. Torres 7, Dela Paz 2, Bolick 0, Reyes 0, Salem 0.
Quarters: 24-15, 42-33, 63-51, 78-70