Von Pessumal of Ateneo gets fouled by Arnold Van Opstal of La Salle at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday. INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol uttered a bold statement last Sunday when he was asked how the Blue Eagles would fare against defending champion La Salle ahead of the two rivals’ first meeting in the UAAP Season 77.
“Walang ka-edge edge ang Ateneo against La Salle (Ateneo has no edge at all against La Salle),” he had previously said.
That wasn’t the case Sunday. The Blue Eagles may not have the edge as Perasol pointed out but they sure found reasons to beat the Green Archers 97-86 before 17,344 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Kiefer Ravena finished what Von Pessumal started with 14 of his game-high 29 points coming in the final eight minutes while Arvin Tolentino and Fonso Gotladera outplayed the La Salle’s big men Arnold Van Opstal and Norbert Torres combining for 31 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks.
“We talked about it in the dugout, even in the practices we had, the only chance we had in beating La Salle is to play it possession by possession,” said Perasol after steering the Eagles to a 2-0 start good for a tie in first place with National University and host University of the East after dropping their first three games last season.
“I just have to remind them that they cannot hang their heads if they miss their shots. At the end of the day, they were able to respond by making their shots. Kiefer made his shots, Pessumal and of course our golden boy Fonso Gotladera,” added Perasol.
Ravena put on a shooting clinic in the fourth quarter – hitting four 3-pointers including three straight – that stretched the Blue Eagles to 14, 85-71, with 2:05 left after taking just a precarious one-point lead.
The 6-foot Ravena provided the finishing kick but it was Pessumal who kept Ateneo in the game.
The fourth-year swingman Pessumal fired 21 points, 19 coming the first three quarters, that helped the Eagles buck a slow start.
“I was trying to make sure that we anticipated that their defense is going to clamp up on Kiefer. And of course the challenge was on the other guys most especially Von, a natural scorer,” said Perasol.
“The response of Von Pessumal, if not for those scoring I don’t think we were able to catch up,” added Perasol.
Gotladera, who was used sparingly in his one year with La Salle, also gave Ateneo a big lift with 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks while he and rookie Tolentino neutralized Van Opstal and Torres.
“First of all, Fonso is really motivated. Coming off La Salle, in a way, perhaps he has that personal agenda in a way of saying ‘I am better than what you are thinking about me,'” said the former PBA coach Perasol.
The 6-foot-4 center though said his breakthrough performance had nothing to do with making a point but rather for the team.
“Coming into this game, I just wanted to contain Arnold and Norbert. I really don’t have a [personal] agenda, we just want to win as a team and we’re grateful that we’re able to get this win.”
Jason Perkins carried much of the offensive load when the going got tough for La Salle, which reeled to a 0-2 hole for the first time since Season 74, with 25 points that went with 10 rebounds and four assists. Almond Vosotros added 18 while Jeron Teng had 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Van Opstal and Torres teamed up for only 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Archers will try to avoid a 0-3 start vs the Bulldogs on Wednesday.
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