LA SALLE hotshot Jeron Teng (top) shoots over Ateneo’s Von Pessumal during yesterday’s match. RODEL ROTONI
GREG Slaughter, Nico Salva and Kiefer Ravena combined for all but one of Ateneo’s fourth-quarter points as the Ateneo Blue Eagles turned back the La Salle Green Archers, 71-61, yesterday to claim solo second in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
“When you’re playing La Salle, there’s no guarantee how it’s going be,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black as the Eagles improved to 3-1 behind unbeaten and idle leader Far Eastern after the blockbuster showdown in front of a 17,000-strong crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“It doesn’t matter which team has more talent. We expect every game to be close,” added Black, who is bidding to give Ateneo a fifth straight title before leaving to coach Talk ‘N Text in the PBA.
University of Santo Tomas, which dealt Ateneo’s lone loss so far, sustained its impressive form by coming from behind to down National University, 77-71, in the first game.
Jeric Teng unloaded 21 points, including two key triples in the fourth quarter where the Tigers battled from 10 points down, 53-63, before moving up to third place at 2-1.
“Naka-tsamba na naman (We got lucky again),” said UST coach Pido Jarencio, just nine days after the Tigers clawed back from a 19-point hole for a 71-70 decision over the Eagles.
The Bulldogs, who led 29-15 in the second quarter, and the Archers dropped to 2-2.
Slaughter pumped in 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Salva delivered 16 markers and seven boards. Ravena drilled 10 of his 16 points in the first half, which the Blue Eagles dominated before LA Revilla, Jeron Teng and Norbert Torres led the La Salle fightback.
In the crowd during the Ateneo-La Salle match was Bo Perasol, the PBA coach tagged as Ateneo’s “first choice” to replace Black when the American mentor returns to the pro league at the end of the season.
The scores:
First Game
UST 77—Teng 21, Abdul 11, Mariano 10, Fortuna 10, Ferrrer 8, Bautista 7, Afuang 6, Lo 4, Vigil 0, Pe 0, Daquioag 0.
NU 71—Parks 25, Mbe 13, Alolino 13, Javillonar 11,Villamor 5, Rosario 3, Ignacio 1, Roño 0, Neypes 0, Khobuntin 0, De Guzman 0, Betayene.
Quarters: 15-21, 36-41, 53-60, 77-71
Second Game
ATENEO 71—Slaughter 20, Salva 16, Ravena 16, Chua 6, Tiongson 4, Elorde 3, Buenafe 3, Pessumal 2, Erram 1, Sumalinog 0, Gonzaga 0.
LA SALLE 61—Revilla 16, Teng 13, N. Torres 11, Dela Paz 7, Manguera 6, Van Opstal 2, Andrada 2, Webb 2, Mendoza 1, Tampus 1, Paredes 0, Vosotros 0, T. Torres 0, Gotladera 0, Tallo 0.
Quarters: 20-8, 35-26, 53-50, 71-61