Bench players step up for Blue Eagles

Aaron Black provides solid numbers off the bench. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo deviated from its usual offense of relying too much on its superstar guard Kiefer Ravena and the Blue Eagles got the result they wanted.

Ravena led all scorers with 20 points but Ateneo showed it’s more than just a one-man team with contributions coming from different players in a 87-72 win over Adamson on Saturday.

READ: Ravena finds shooting touch, focused on getting teammates involved

“Some players coming off the bench really played exemplary like George Go, Vince Tolentino, Aaron Black and Gwyne Capacio, who had a bad game last time,” said Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol. “That’s really what’s important right now for us. Those who can help Kiefer in his production — that’s really a welcome development for us.”

“The positive things out of this game is first, the production of Aaron, Gwyne, Vince and Isaac Go for a player who doesn’t really play that much he was able to somehow contain Sarr during the latter part of the game which is very valuable for us,” said Ravena, who made sure to get his teammates involved and wound up with 11 assists. “Any help that we can get is positive for us especially towards the latter part of the season that’s what we really need.”

Aaron Black, Gwyne Capacio and Vince Tolentino accounted for 33 of Ateneo’s 46 bench points with Black scoring 12 of his 14 points in the pivotal third quarter where the Blue Eagles ran away.

READ: Ateneo trumps Adamson to end skid; Ravena snaps out of slump

The Eagles hope that they will continue to get help from their second and third group with a couple of tough games ahead starting with University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday and defending champion National University next Sunday.

Ravena deflected praise for his high-assist total, attributing his unselfish play to his teammates.

“I won’t get 11 assists had my teammates weren’t able to make shots.”