Ateneo forges 2 OT triumph over NU

EDGAR Charcos (right) of UE applies pressure on Joseph Nalos of Adamson in yesterday’s game. The Warriors defeated the Falcons. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Ateneo just sent National University reeling to what is turning out to be a nightmarish start to its title defense.

And Kiefer Ravena made it happen with a vintage clutch outing as the Blue Eagles slipped past the Bulldogs in double-overtime, 74-70, in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“It was a grind,” said coach Bo Perasol after his Eagles triumphed over the Bulldogs for the first time in seven meetings in three seasons.

“I don’t think we could have won without the heroics of Kiefer twice. And last game’s much maligned player [Chibueze Ikeh] stepped up today and proved that he belongs in our team.”

Ateneo joined University of the East in a four-way tie for second at 2-1 as the Red Warriors turned back a pesky Adamson, 89-78, in the first game.

Ravena, who finished with a game-high 21 points, salvaged what seemed like a lost game for the Eagles in regulation when he nailed a step-back triple with 5.3 seconds left to forge the first extra period, 57-57.

Ravena again came to Eagles’ rescue when he took the game into second overtime, 62-62, after getting past a phalanx of NU defenders for a layup with 5.7 ticks left.

Ikeh also helped lift the Eagles by knocking in half of the team’s 12 points—all from the foul line—in second overtime.

NU remained winless in three outings along with Adamson.

Sustaining his hot run, rookie Bonbon Batiller teamed up with Paul Varilla in a 16-5 scoring outburst in the final quarter where the Warriors pulled away by as many as 17 points, 79-62, before clipping the Falcons’ comeback attempts.

The scores:

First Game

UE 89—Batiller 23, Varilla 14, Derige 12, Charcos 9, Yu 8, De Leon 6, Javier 6, Palma 6, Abanto 2, Gonzales 2, Manalang 1, Sta. Ana 0.

ADAMSON 78—Tungcab 16, Capote 15, Nalos 14, Ng 11, Villanueva 8, Sarr 6, Ochea 4, Garcia 2, Polican 2, Bernardo 0, Escalambre 0.

Quarters: 20-26, 44-41, 63-57, 89-78

Second Game

ATENEO 74—Ravena 21, Ikeh 14, Pingoy 9, Pessumal 8, Apacible 6, Tolentino A. 6, Gotladera 4, Babilonia 2, Cani 2, Nieto Ma. 2, Black 0, Nieto Mi. 0, Tolentino M. 0, Wong 0.

NU 70—Alolino 19, Aroga 14, Neypes 11, Celda 6, Abatayo 5, Javelona 5, Tansingco 4, Alejandro 2, Diputado 2, Salim 2, Javillonar 0, Lastimosa 0, Rangel 0.

Quarters: 13-11, 27-24, 42-43, 57-57 (reg.), 62-62 (1OT), 74-70 (2OT)