Ateneo stays perfect, keeps UP winless

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo remained unbeaten while also keeping University of the Philippines winless following an 86-75 win in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Rookie Arvin Tolentino and star guard Kiefer Ravena, who came in averaging 25.5 points per game in his last two games, continued their strong plays with 20 and 19 points, respectively for the Blue Eagles.

The Eagles soared to their third straight win but not until they fended off quite a fight by the Maroons, who absorbed their 24th defeat in a row dating back to Season 75, late.

“They thought it was going to be a breeze,” said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol. “But in the end we were able to fight it out.”

The Fighting Maroons found themselves just down by five, 68-73, before Nico Elorde scored on a layup and Ravena hitting a triple that put the Blue Eagles ahead by 12, 80-68, with two minutes left.

Tolentino, the former high school standout from San Beda, shot seven-of-12 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds while Ravena also collected five rebounds and four assists. Chris Newsome notched a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

UP, which dropped its third consecutive double-digit loss in as many games, drew 16 points from last season’s Rookie of the Year Kyles Lao.

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