Ateneo recovers in time to defeat UP

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo sprung back to life before the intermission and subdued winless University of the Philippines, 67-59, Thursday in the UAAP season 76 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles erased an 11-point deficit, 22-33, in the second period with a stirring 16-1 blast which put them ahead, 38-34, two minutes into the third quarter.

While the Maroons regained the lead in the ensuing play, Ateneo went on another run, 8-0, to seize the momentum for good.

Like that double-digit UP lead, Ateneo’s 0-3 start is now a distant memory as the defending champions improved to 4-4, and tied with rival La Salle.

But even as they gained control in the second half and led by as many as 14 markers, the Blue Eagles couldn’t fully get their momentum going and were hampered by sluggishness.

“I’m not going to be honest if I said I was satisfied,” was Bo Perasol’s opening salvo in the post-game interview. “We could’ve done better.”

Kiefer Ravena still finished with 14 points despite missing nine attempts from the field, along with 14 boards, five assists, and three steals.

A most explosive moment for Ateneo was, with two minutes to play,
Ravena, on a give-and-go, lobbed a pass to Newsome who soared high for the basket.

Newsome and Juami Tiongson, the only one from the Ateneo side who shot decently from downtown, added 11 points apiece.

While Ateneo gains steam, the Maroons’ window for a win, meanwhile, is slowly closing as they dropped their eighth game this season.

Sam Marata had 15 points, scoring it all from downtown, for UP but didn’t score in the payoff period until his desperation trey at the final buzzer.