With Kiefer Ravena and Chris Newsome leading the way, reigning UAAP champion Ateneo notched its second straight win at the expense of San Sebastian, 75-70, last night in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.
Ravena finished with 19 points and nine boards, while Newsome tallied 16 points and had four steals as the Eagles weathered repeated rallies by the Stags at Filoil Flying V Arena to stay on top of Group B.
The Eagles lost the rebounding battle, 43-53, owing to their lack of ceiling following the departure of key big men in Greg Slaughter and Nico Salva.
“It’s something that we are going to have to get used to,” said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol, referring to their lack of big men. “It’s not going to be easy and we always need to just grind it out.”
Earlier, San Beda bounced back from an opening-day loss with a 67-55 walloping of Jose Rizal U, while University of the East overwhelmed Southwestern U, 81-62.
Rome dela Rosa and Ryusei Koga hit clutch triples in the fourth period to help the Lions pull away from a tight contest and even their record at 1-1.
Roi Sumang fired 21 points while returning Lord Casajeros pumped in 14 points as the Warriors led from start to finish and pinned a second straight loss on the Cobras.
The scores:
First Game:
SAN BEDA 67—Dela Rosa 16, Adeogun 14, Koga 7, Abarcar 7, Pascual 7, dela Cruz 6, Ludovice 3, A. Semerad 3 Mendoza 2, Sara 2, D. Semerad 0, Abatayo 0, Villaruz 0.
JRU 55—Pontejos 18, Balagtas 12, Mabulac 12, Paniamogan 6, Lasquety 5, Dela Paz 2, Salaviera 0, Benavides 0, Diego 0, Munez 0, Gozum 0, Sanchez 0, Abanto 0.
Quarters: 14-17, 31-25, 45-43, 67-55.
Second Game:
UE 81—Sumang 21, Santos 16, Casajeros 14, Noble 10, Olivarez 8, Hernandez 4, Sumido 3, Javier 2, Jumao-os 2, Alberto 1, Flores 0, Bonleon 0, Olayon 0, De Leon 0, Galanza 0.
SWU 62—Arong 12, Siewe 11, Guilena 8, Ortega 7, Aboude 7, Sanjo 6, Bregondo 4, Panerio 3, Bautista 2, Pajantoy 2, Goloran 0, Otida 0, Holper 0.
Quarters: 21-13, 40-25, 60-42, 81-62.
Third Game:
ATENEO 75—Ravena 19, Newsome 16, Tiongson 9, Pessumal 7, Golla 6, Murphy 5, Tolentino 4, Babilonia 4, Lim 4, Elorde 1, Asistio 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 70—Rebollos 17, Guinto 15, Perez 13, Dela Cruz 12, Vergara 3, Balucanag 3, De Vera 2, Ortouste 2, Tano 2, Gusi 1, Magno 0, Trinidad 0, Aquino 0, Lee 0.
Quarters: 17-14, 33-34, 53-48, 75-70