VON Pessumal of Ateneo applies defensive pressure on Dan Alberto of UE in yesterday’s match at Mall of Asia Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Flourishing yet again at crunch time, Kiefer Ravena unloaded the huge baskets down the stretch as Ateneo pulled off a big comeback from 21 points down to stun University of the East in overtime, 93-91, in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Ravena exploded for a career-high 38 points, including the mid-range jumper with 23.4 seconds left that forged overtime, 80-80, before accounting for the Blue Eagles’ last seven points in the extra period.
The Eagles trailed by a wide 17-38 margin early before Ravena, Von Pessumal and Chris Newsome combined in a gigantic rally that propelled Ateneo to the solo No. 1 spot.
“If you have to go to the bottom line of this—it was just the desire for us to get back,” said coach Bo Perasol after his Eagles wrapped up their first-round campaign with a a 6-1 record.
Archers score
Defending champion La Salle ended its first-round run with an emphatic 83-70 triumph over University of Santo Tomas in the second game to gain a share of second at 5-2 with National University.
Jeron Teng, who topscored with 22, joined hands with Jason Perkins and rookie Julian Sargent in a fourth-quarter surge that gave the Green Archers their first double-digit lead, 72-62, going into the last three minutes.
“Big minutes from those coming off the bench, not just offensively,” coach Juno Sauler said after the Archers, who streaked to their fifth straight win, edged the Tigers in a rematch of last season’s finalists.
Team leader
Ravena, who also posted six rebounds and nine assists, starred in their third-straight pulsating win as the star guard also drilled the game-winners in the Eagles’ narrow escape over Far Eastern University (81-78) and University of Santo Tomas (63-61) last week.
“I always give it to the leader—Kiefer,” said Perasol. “He’s the epitome of a can-do attitude, regardless of the situation. He was able to deliver for us in the end again.”
Pessumal hit 18 of his 19 points from three-point range, the last triple pushing the Eagles ahead, 84-82, with 2:43 minutes left in overtime.
After a Bong Galanza triple swung the lead back to the Warriors, 85-84, Newsome nailed two free throws before Ravena took over with seven straight points.
Newsome finished with an all-around game of 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a couple of steals.
Roi Sumang shot a career-high 30 points for the Warriors, who have blown big leads in all their losses and now stood at 2-4 behind the Tigers’ 3-3 mark.
The scores:
First Game
ATENEO 93—K. Ravena 38, Pessumal 19, Newsome 18, Babilonia 4, Elorde 4, Tolentino 3, Apacible 2, Gotladera 2, T. Ravena 2, Capacio 1, Porter 0.
UE 91—Sumang 30, Galanza 19, Mammie 18, Guiang 6, Varilla 6, Jumao-as 4, Olayon 4, Palma 4, Alberto 0, Javier 0, Arafat 0.
Quarters: 10-28, 31-44, 55-64, 80-80 (reg.), 93-91 (OT)
Second Game
LA SALLE 83—Teng 22, Perkins 15, Rivero 12, Sargent 10, Vosotros 9, Bolick 5, Andrada 4, Tratter 4, Torres 2, Montalbo 0.
UST 70—Mariano 20, Vigil 19, Ferrrer 11, Abdul 10, Pe 6, Sheriff 4, Daquioag 0, Dela Cruz 0, Lao 0, Lo 0, Macasaet 0, Subido 0.
Quarters: 17-15, 35-35, 59-51, 83-70