Ravena leads Ateneo surge past Adamson

Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo steals the ball from Alex Inigo of Adamson, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Kiefer Ravena led Ateneo to a wire-to-wire win over Adamson 79-57 in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ravena knocked in 22 points for the Blue Eagles, who also drew a solid game from blue-chip rookie Arvin Tolentino.

“What’s really important right now, I just make sure that at the back of our minds we want to be better than last season,” said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol.

“It’s a new start for us. Now it’s a 0-0 standing. It’s a new adventure for us and we started it with a win,” said Ravena, who also collected four rebounds, four assists and three assists.

Tolentino, the former San Beda star, scored 12 points and so did athletic guard Chris Newsome.

Ateneo raced to a 10-1 lead to start the game and led by as much as 29, 72-43, in the fourth quarter.

Next up for Ateneo? An early date with old rival and defending champion De La Salle, which will be coming off a shocking 77-82 setback at the hands of Far Eastern University last Saturday, next Sunday.

“We’re gonna play the defending champs. We need to double our efforts,” said Ravena.

Rookie Ivan Villanueva paced the rookie-laden Falcons, who shot 29% from the two-point area and had 22 turnovers, with 15 points and nine rebounds.

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