Perasol on Ateneo loss to FEU: ‘We felt a slap in the face’

Kiefer Ravena scored 25 points on 7-of-18 shooting from the field in Ateneo’s 88-64 loss to Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament Sunday night at Mall of Asia Arena. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo’s blowout loss to Far Eastern University was like a “slap in the face.”

That’s how Blue Eagles head coach Bo Perasol put their 88-64 beating at the hands of the Tamaraws, who played true to their form as this season’s top contender.

“We could’ve done a better job. It was shown with how we played lackluster defense. But it’s good in a way that it happened against the best team,” Perasol told reporters.

“At least, we felt a slap in the face. If there is something we need to achieve this coming season, we need to do more. We can’t be just like that or else the stronger team will just play us around,” Perasol said.

Kiefer Ravena scoring 25 points to lead was a given for the Blue Eagles while Gwyne Capacio and Ikeh Chibueze were bright spots.

Perasol said Ikeh was a solid inside presence with eight rebounds and three blocks in 21 minutes of action.

“The goal was to gauge ourselves against the perceived best team this coming tournament. And we really felt FEU’s strength,” Perasol said. “But at the same time, I really feel that in the beginning it’s like we had doubts if we could beat them. That’s what I saw, that we’re just going through the motions.”

The Tamaraws flexed their muscles with four players scoring in double-digits. Roger Pogoy had 19, burning the Blue Eagles with four 3-pointers, Mike Tolomia added 17 that went with eight rebounds and six assists while Mac Belo and Raymar Jose contributed 16 points each.