CLARK Derige of UE (left) draws a charge from NU’s Nico Javelona. ARNOLD ALMACEN
University of the East came up with a stunning upset while Ateneo finally showed its worth as both squads bounced separate foes at Mall of Asia Arena Saturday to hit the win column of the UAAP Season 78 basketball tournament.
Adding to the rash of upsets that have struck the tournament in its first week, the unheralded Warriors, already playing without key big man Chris Javier, sent defending champion National U reeling even more with a 76-71 reversal that dropped the Bulldogs to a 0-2 start.
Ateneo, shredded on opening day by Far Eastern U, vented its ire on hapless Adamson, 84-60, for their first win of the season.
Suffering from a death in the family, Edison Batiller came out inspired, pouring 18 of his 23 points in the second half as the Warriors turned a five-point halftime deficit to a 17-point bubble late in the third period.
“He only returned from Gensan (General Santos City) last Wednesday to join the team because of the death of his cousin,” said UE coach Derrick Pumaren of Batiller.
Kiefer Ravena shot 24 points, but unlike their loss to the Tamaraws last Sunday, the King Eagle got plenty of support from Jerie Pingoy, Von Pessumal and Aaron Black.
“The way we played in the second half was the way we envisioned our team,” said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol.
The scores
First Game
ATENEO 84—Ravena 24, Pessumal 12, Black 11, Ma. Nieto 9, Pingoy 8, Capacio 7, V. Tolentino 4, Wong 3, Bablionia 2, Cani 2, Mi. Nieto 2, Apacible 0, Gotladera 0, Ikeh 0, A. Tolentino 0, Go 0
ADAMSON 60—Sarr 13, Nalos 10, Ochea 8, Tungcab 8, Garcia 7, Polican 7, Capote 4, Margallo 2, Ng 1, Bernardo 0, Camacho 0, Escalambre 0, Villanueva 0
Quarters: 13-16, 34-30, 62-48, 84-60
Second Game
UE 76—Batiller 23, Charcos 12, Varilla 11, Abanto 9, De Leon 8, Palma 6, Sta. Ana 4, Manalang 3, Derige 0, Gagate 0, Gonzales 0, Yu 0, Penuela 0
NU 71—Alolino 23, Javelona 16, Aroga 8, Salim 6, Diputado 5, Javillonar 5, Neypes 4, Abatayo 2, Celda 2, Alejandro 0, Morido 0, Rangel 0
Quarters: 20-16, 32-37, 60-46, 76-71