Ateneo moves to solo 2nd after nipping FEU

By: Mark Giongco - 10 years ago

Photo by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Kiefer Ravena scored 23 points and Ateneo slipped past Far Eastern University, 81-78, to earn solo second place in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ravena, who also dished out seven assists, bounced back from a sub-par outing in a 60-64 loss to National University two Saturdays ago – coming through down the stretch for the Blue Eagles, who improved to 4-1 just half a game behind the league-leading Bulldogs.

“I like the way we played up to the last few minutes though we could’ve played better in the end,” said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol. “But it was still a win for us.”

“Kiefer delivered for us during crunch time.”

Ravena made five straight points for Ateneo that stretched a precarious two-point edge to 73-66 with only 1:44 left before the Blue Eagles managed to hold off the Tamaraws in the final minute.

“I shot the ball well last game,” Ravena joked, before adding, “so I really wanted to involve my teammates in this game.”

Tams’ star guard Mike Tolomia nearly made a 3-pointer near half court that would’ve forced overtime as time ran out.

Mac Belo had 22 points, nine in the fourth quarter, for FEU, which dropped to 3-2. Tolomia finished with 15 points on just five-of-16 shooting from the field.

Ravena’s younger brother, Thirdy also gave Ateneo significant production in limited time with four points, five rebounds and a steal.

Ateneo takes on University of Santo Tomas next on Wednesday also at the Big Dome.

“I hope we could carry this to our next games,” Perasol said.