Ateneo solidifies hold of third spot with win over NU

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER

Kiefer Ravena set the tone with an incredible shooting display and Ateneo repeated over defending champion National University, 68-59, in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Ravena scored his team’s first 21 points, highlighted by six straight 3-pointers, before the Blue Eagles repelled repeated rallies by the Bulldogs in the second half.

READ: Heat check: Ravena fires 6 straight 3s, 21 points in 1st quarter vs NU

The graduating guard wound up with 32 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field while fellow senior Von Pessumal added 20 points, four rebounds and four assists.

“It really helped us when somebody scored 21 points in the first and that was what Kiefer did,” said Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol said. “Then it was our defense when it counted.”

“NU has always been our Achilles’ heel. This is our first true win against them.”

Ravena eventually cooled off in the second half but Ateneo had Pessumal to pick up the scoring cudgels.

The sharpshooting swingman came to life in the fourth quarter scoring nine points including a big three that put Ateneo up, 63-55, with only 3:05 left.

In the first round, the Blue Eagles outlasted the Bulldogs, who blew a chance to put more pressure on fourth-running De La Salle University and fell to 4-7, in double overtime.

READ: Ravena’s clutch efforts lift Ateneo past NU in double OT

Ateneo tightened its grip of the third spot after upping its record to 7-4 while also getting help from Adamson, which stunned La Salle Saturday night.

Gelo Alolino collected 17 points, five rebounds and three assists while Alfred Aroga notched a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds with a couple of blocks to boot for the Bulldogs, who slid to a game and a half behind the Green Archers for the last semifinals spot.