Adamson Jansen Rios drives to the basket past NU Bulldogs Reden Celda. ARNOLD ALMACEN
Kiefer Ravena flashed his old murderous form in the clutch as Ateneo dealt University of the East another heartbreaker with a 78-73 decision to reclaim the solo lead in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Ravena drained five of the Blue Eagles’ last seven points, including a dagger triple with 14.2 seconds left that gave them a four-point cushion, 76-72, on the way to their seventh win in nine games.
“I told Kiefer you have to up the ante for us to win this game. In the end, he again delivered,” said coach Bo Perasol after his Eagles rebounded from a loss to rival La Salle, 86-88.
Chris Newsome paced the Eagles with 23 points, while Ravena drilled nine of his 16 points in the fourth quarter on top of eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Earlier, National University snapped a two-game skid against an Adamson side that set another record for futility in a 71-50 loss.
Gelo Alolino topscored with 14 points as Reden Celda and Nico Javelona also churned in solid outings off the bench to fuel a second-quarter breakaway where the Bulldogs outscored the Falcons, 24-2.
“That second quarter was pivotal,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “Our second unit stepped up because our first group came out with quite low energy.”
The Bulldogs, who improved to 6-3, also whipped the Falcons by 37 points, 62-25, in the first round.
The Warriors dropped to sixth place with a 4-5 card, while the Falcons, who tied the lowest points scored in a quarter with two, bowed out of Final Four contention after staying winless in nine games.
“This is the first time in so many games that we started well,” Perasol said of the Eagles, who unlike in the first round, had to rally from 21 points down against the Warriors for a 93-91 overtime escape.
The scores:
First Game
NU 71—Alolino 14, Khobuntin 12, Aroga 7, Betayene 6, Celda 6, Javelona 6, Rosario 6, Diputado 5, Alejandro 3, Neypes 3, Perez 2, Salim 1, Atangan 0, Cauilan 0, Tansingco 0.
ADAMSON 50—Trollano 15, Rios 10, Iñigo 7, Nalos 7, Garcia 6, Aquino 3, Ochea 2, Baytan 0, Butron 0, Donahue 0, Gumtang 0, Monteclaro 0, Pedrosa 0, Polican 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarters: 18-14, 42-16, 59-28, 71-50
Second Game
ATENEO 78—Newsome 23, K. Ravena 16, Pessumal 13, Elorde 11, Gotladera 11, Babilonia 2, T. Ravena 1, A. Tolentino 0, V. Tolentino 0.
UE 73—Mammie 15, Sumang 10, De Leon 8, Varilla 8, Alberto 7, Jumao-as 7, Olayon 7, Arafat 4, Palma 3, Galanza 2, Javier 2, Guiang 0.
Quarters: 15-11, 35-32, 54-51, 78-73