MANILA, Philippines — Coming alive in the second half, Ateneo bolstered its final four bid with a 77-72 victory Sunday and bundled University of the East out of contention in the UAAP season 76 men’s basketball tournament.
Kiefer Ravena powered his way to a season-high 22 points, doing most of the damage in the pivotal third quarter attack for the Blue Eagles.
Ateneo, which tied with University of Santo Tomas for fourth place with a 7-5 card, flipped the switch and erased a 12-point deficit and seized the momentum.
“Mainly defensive [adjustments]. We gave up too many points in the first half. Maybe may halong gigil in the first half so we weren’t able to execute,” said assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga, who was on duty for the suspended Bo Perasol.
Chris Newsome provided a 19-point, eight-rebound performance and scored four in that run which gave the Blue Eagles a 72-62 lead, their biggest of the game, with 4:41 to play.
Ateneo leaned on that cushion when the hungry Warriors, who were fighting for their season, pulled to within three on a 7-0 blast.
But UE’s hero in hardworking guard Roi Sumang, who unloaded 20 points in the first half alone, didn’t last to see his team’s campaign through after he injured his right leg with two minutes to play.
Sumang was at his best with 27 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals but his Warriors, the pre-season champions, bowed out of the final four race with a 5-8 card.