RAVENA SOARS. Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo and Simon Atkins of La Salle square off at the 74th season of the men’s UAAP basketball tournament Saturday, July 16, 2011, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Ravena unloaded 24 points to pace the Eagles who won the game against the Archers, 81-72. AUGUST DELA CRUZ/INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines – Kiefer Ravena atoned for his scoreless debut with 24 huge points as Ateneo turned back its fiercest rival La Salle, 81-72, in the 74th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
Although Ravena only scored two points in the second half, the highly-touted rookie from Ateneo high school, did tough work defensively contributing 10 rebounds and five steals for the Blue Eagles.
“Kiefer performed very well and he gave us a big lift especially in the first half,” said Ateneo head coach Norman Black.
Emman Monfort, meanwhile, saved the three time-defending champions from a meltdown as he went six-from-six from the line in the last minute of the game.
Monfort, along with Kirk Long, finished with 10 points, Nico Salva, who caught fire in the third quarter, added 18 points.
Greg Slaughter, the star in Ateneo’s win against Adamson, struggled in the face of La Salle’s stubborn defense, managing just seven points and six rebounds.
With the win, Ateneo has kept a perfect record early in the season while La Salle absorbed its second loss in as many games.
After a dominant three quarters, fatigue caught up with the Blue Eagles as they were plagued with turnovers that allowed the Green Archers to pull closer.
Returning guard LA Revilla showcased his wide arsenal of moves, finishing with 22 points, as he singlehandedly carried La Salle back into the ball game after trailing by as many as 19 points.
The Green Archers managed to cut the Eagles’ lead to five, 70-75, with over a minute left in the game, with Revilla dropping a 10-point bomb in the payoff period, before fouling out.