(c) Pen Lazarte
By John Paul Marquez
QUEZON CITY--Ateneo De Manila University dominated the second game of Wednesday’s double-header as they defeated University of the Philippines, 74-65 in the UAAP Season 78 Men’s Basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Kiefer Ravena led the Blue Eagles with 16 points, while rookie Adrian Wong added 14 points, including three three-pointers.
The Blue Eagles had a late start as they converted on their first field goal almost halfway through the opening quarter. However, they were able to sustain the momentum as they ended the first quarter ahead, 19-11.
Arvin Tolentino jacked up two threes in the second canto to ignite a 10-5 run for Ateneo. The Blue Eagles showed their power in that quarter as they dominated the Maroons and ended the first half by erecting a 19 point lead, 45-26.
However, Ateneo started to struggle after the half as UP only allowed Ateneo nine points in that quarter. The Maroons' comeback was led by Paul Desiderio, with his pull up jumpers and layups as they trimmed down their deficit to just 10 points at the end of the third.
After their struggles in the third, Ateneo turned up their game as the entered the fourth with Wong converting two shots from rainbow country to put Ateneo on a ahead, 66-47.
Andrew Harris and Desiderio helped UP trim the lead to just 11. However, this proved to be their last stand as Wong connected on a shot from the wing to put the game away for the Blue Eagles.
Perasol said in the victory that they started well and ended the second half well giving credit to his bench, specifically Adrian Wong, for coming up big for the Eagles.
"We were able to sustain also with the help of the likes of Adrian (Wong) and those guys from the bench”
UP now slid to 3-8, while Ateneo is now riding on a four-game winning streak to solidify their comeback in the tournament and to keep their hope to get a twice-to-beat incentive alive.
The Eagles' next game will be against their rivals, the De La Salle Green Archers, who defeated them on their last encounter courtesy of a come-from-behind victory led by King Archer Jeron Teng.
The upcoming ADMU-DLSU game will also be the last for Kiefer Ravena and coach Bo Perasol.
“Very tough (Sunday’s game against La Salle), lalo na yung final four inclusion nila is at stake, this is going to be Kiefer’s last La Salle-Ateneo game, this is going to be my last La Salle-Ateneo game, this is going to be a battle for us,” Perasol said.
While for Kiefer, he said that "[this is] one thing I will really miss after this UAAP season. As coach Bo always reminds us, it is still a basketball game. Ill just enjoy it, bibigay ko lang lahat.”
Box Scores:
Ateneo 74-Ravena 16, Wong 14, Tolentino 8, Ikeh 6, Gotladera 6, Pessumal 5, Nieto 5, Babilonia 4, Capacio 4, Black 2, Tolentino 2, Go 2
UP 65-Dario 13, Amar 11, Manuel 10, Desiderio 8, Kone 7, Moralde 4, Harris 4, Vito 4, Gallarza 2, Lim 2, Juruena 0, Asilum 0, Longa 0, Jaboneta 0
Quarterscores: 19-11, 45-26, 54-44, 74-65
Follow the writer on Twitter: @DugoutPH
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