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MANILA, Philippines — Nico Salva scored 27 points as defending champion Ateneo survived gutsy Mapua, 78-75, Monday in the 2012 FilOil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup at the Arena in San Juan.
Salva shot an impressive eight-of-10 both from the field and at the line to lead the Blue Eagles to their sixth win against one loss.
Kiefer Ravena hit two free throws with only nine seconds left that set the final count as Josan Nimes and Jonathan Banal misfired potential game-tying threes before the buzzer.
Ravena finished with 12 points on top of five rebounds and five assists while Greg Slaughter added 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Cardinals, led by Nimes’ 24 points, trailed by as much as 11 heading into the fourth quarter.
Mapua fell to 1-3.