Blue Eagles reassert mastery over Tigers in Unigames

Kiefer Ravena stars anew as Ateneo defeated UST for a semifinals spot. PHOTO Sandugo UNIGames Facebook.

BACOLOD CITY—Reigning champion Ateneo continued its mastery of University of Santo Tomas with a  58-56  overtime decision Friday night to barge into the semifinals of the men’s basketball tournament of the 17th Sandugo University Games at the packed West Negros University Gym here.

In a rematch of this year’s UAAP Finals, the Eagles—without key players from their title run—still proved steadier down the stretch with Kiefer Ravena and Nico Elorde knocking in big shots in the extra session to send Ateneo to a last four duel with University of the East.

Ravena, who also sent the game into overtime at 47-all, wound up with 18 points, including a triple that restored the Eagles’ three-point cushion while Elorde added 13 markers highlighted by a trey with the shot clock winding down in overtime.

Karim Abdul, who missed a long jumper as regulation ended, also missed a potential game-tying layup at the buzzer. Abdul, who did not play in the Tigers’ group matches, still finished with 16 points.

The semifinals turned out to be an all-UAAP affair after the Warriors, Adamson Falcons and National U Bulldogs also disposed of their respective rivals.

The Warriors survived Cebu champion Southwestern U, 79-72, even as the Falcons overwhelmed Roxas City-based Hercor College, 75-63, to set up a showdown with the Bulldogs, a runaway 96-48 winner over University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos.

Over at Panaad Stadium, Far Eastern U retained its athletics crowns with a dominant display in the last two days of competition.

With Christopher Ulboc sweeping the  1,500- and 3,000-meter events, FEU collected 11 golds in the men’s division. The Lady Tamaraws bagged 12 golds, beating La Salle, which brought home four golds for second spot.