Ateneo nearly blows big lead, turns back Adamson
Ateneo reasserted its mastery over Adamson, but not before surviving a furious rally by the Falcons.
The Blue Eagles, the reigning five-time titlists, built a commanding 27-point cushion but still needed to overcome a fourth-quarter near-meltdown in beating the Falcons 79-66 and essaying their fourth straight win in the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball action at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Main man Kiefer Ravena tallied a game-high of 18 points–the same output of veteran forward Ryan Buenafe–on top of three rebounds, two assists and as many steals while steadying the Blue Eagles in the stretch to hold the late-charging Soaring Falcons, who exploded for 34 points in the last 10 minutes.
More than essaying its 33rd win in the last 34 meetings with Adamson highlighted by a 71-59 triumph last July 14, Ateneo also extended its winning run to four games for a 5-4 mark.
The Falcons lost their third straight and seventh overall against three wins but not after trimming what was once a hefty 59-32 deficit early in the fourth to pull within eight, only to get denied by Ravena and Co. in the last six minutes of play.
Hulking center Ingrid Sewa tallied 17 markers while Jericho Cruz, Rodney Brondial and surprising Jansen Rios added 14 points each but the Falcons still came up short.
The Main Man: With the Falcons still seriously threatening after pulling within 51-59, Kiefer Ravena took it upon himself to deliver the needed goods for the Blue Eagles.
The 6-foot guard racked up nine big points in the fourth, including a pair of gutsy lay-ups, that anchored Ateneo’s steady windup.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Buenafe backstopped Ravena with 18 points, 12 of them coming in the middle quarters, while doing a little of everything–nine rebounds, five assists and four steals–in 35 minutes of play.
The former Finals MVP was virtually silent in the payoff canto but drilled in a booming triple for a 74-61 cushion, putting the result beyond doubt inside the last two minutes.
Game Turning Point: After a Frank Golla jumper put Ateneo way ahead 59-32 early in the fourth, Adamson leaned on Jericho Cruz and hulking import Ingrid Sewa in a fiery 19-to-nothing counterattack.
A dunk by the 6-foot-7 Sewa kept the Falcons in the thick of things at 55-63 but Ravena clustered four straight points that ignited the Blue Eagles’ blinding closeout.
They Said It:
Ateneo coach Bo Perasol: “This game won’t be significant if we don’t win the next game. We’re two wins away from the leaders. Dapat lang gawin namin na manalo kung gusto namin mag-contend sa Final Four. I have to commend the guys for responding very well. In the first three quarters, we defended really well. I was really holding back my timeouts because I want them to experience how to adjust in those situations they are given to them.”
Ateneo guard Kiefer Ravena: “We all know that Adamson is a very capable team. They showed it in the stretch. Good thing we defended well early. I have to commend Adamson for making that run. My teammates also contributed and that was big for us. We also have to take away that habit of relaxing if we have the lead. That’s our story in the first round.”
The scores:
Ateneo (79) – Ravena 18, Buenafe 18, Newsome 9, Elorde 9, Tiongson 7, Pessumal 6, Golla 6, Erram 2, Enriquez 2, Capacio 2, Tolentino 0, Lim 0.
Adamson (66) – Sewa 17, Rios 14, Cruz 14, Brondial 14, Cabrera 3, Inigo 2, Agustin 2, Trollano 0, Petilos 0, Monteclaro 0, Abrigo 0.
Quarterscores: 19-13, 33-26, 57-32, 79-66.
