Eagles alone on top at 3-0

Arvin Tolentino proved yet again that he’s this season’s prize catch as Ateneo turned back University of the Philippines, 86-75, to grab the solo lead with its third straight victory in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Tolentino, an early frontrunner for the top rookie plum, poured in 14 of his 20 points in the second half to help the Blue Eagles quell the Maroons’ persistent rallies.

“There was no doubt in my mind that he can make an impact right away as far as scoring is concerned,” Ateneo coach Bo Perasol said of Tolentino, a former San Beda high school star. “The best is yet to come for him. He’s used to highly competitive games when he was in high school, that’s why we really pursued him.”

La Salle later survived an even tougher challenge as Jason Perkins buried a shot clock-beating basket to bail out the Green Archers against National University, 57-55.

Perkins knocked in the Archers’ last six points, including a crucial basket underneath off an inbound pass from Jeron Teng with just 1.9 seconds left on the shot clock.

That big basket gave the Archers a four-point cushion, 57-53, in the last 6.7 seconds and helped the Archers seal their first victory in three games.

“It took a while for the play to develop,” La Salle coach Juno Sauler said of Perkins’ winning play. “We were lucky there.”

Perkins topscored with 14 and grabbed seven rebounds, while big man Norbert Torres, who also came through with key baskets inside the last five minutes, finished with 13 points.

Ravena posted 19 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Eagles, while Chris Newsome fueled the team’s big start with 18 points and 12 boards.

The winless Maroons moved within a bucket, 51-49, in the third quarter before the Blue Eagles roared back with a 12-0 spurt, half coming from Tolentino, that stretched the lead back to double figures, 63-49.

The Archers, who spoiled the Bulldogs’ bid to join the Eagles on top, trailed 48-49 before Torres and Perkins teamed up to wrest the lead, 53-49.

After a Troy Rosario shot pushed the Bulldogs within a bucket, 53-51, Perkins responded with a putback off a Teng miss to give the Archers a 55-51 edge with 36.6 seconds left.

The scores:

First Game

ATENEO 86—Tolentino 20, K. Ravena 19, Newsome 18, Capacio 9, Elorde 7, Pessumal 5, Babilonia 2, Gotladera 2, Javellosa 2, Lim 2, Apacible 0, T. Ravena 0.

UP 75—Lao 16, Gallarza 10, Asilum 9, Gingerich 9, Juruena 9, Dario 6, Vito 6, Reyes 5, Moralde 5, Bederi 0.

Quarters: 23-21, 46-38, 66-54, 86-75

Second Game

LA SALLE 57—Perkins 14, N. Torres 13, Teng 9, Van Opstal 7, Vosotros 7, Andrada 3, Montalbo 2, Rivero 2, Bolick 0.

NU 55—Aroga 12, Rosario 10, Alolino 9, Khobuntin 9, Javelona 5, Diputado 4, Alejandro 3, Neypes 2, Perez 1, Betayene 0, Atangan 0, Celda 0, Salim 0.

Quarters: 12-16, 35-29, 45-43, 57-55