Ateneo's Ravena breaks UE's heart again with dagger triple

The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles reclaimed the top spot in the UAAP standing with a 78-73 win over the University of the East Red Warriors, Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Chris Newsome’s game-long brilliance kept the Blue Eagles in the game throughout the three quarters but when crunch time came, King Eagle Kiefer Ravena swooped down for the kill.

Leading by a single point, 73-72, with 33 seconds left in the game, Ateneo went to Ravena who responded with a long three-point shot that touched nothing but the bottom of the net.

Like their last game, a Ravena triple once again stabbed a dagger in the Red Warriors' efforts.

Charles Mammie made a free throw on the other end to give his team a slim shot for a miraculous comeback. He missed the second but the Red Warriors failed to grab the rebound.

Von Pessumal stepped up to make two free throws with eight seconds left to seal Ateneo’s win.

The Blue Eagles are once again alone at the top with a 7-2 win-loss record. The Red Warriors on the other hand fall to 4-5, four of their defeats coming via painfully close games.

Newsome led Ateneo with 23 points in the game. Although Ravena’s heroics turned the tide for Ateneo, it would not have been possible without Newsome’s scoring especially during stretches when Ravena was on the bench.

Mammie had a monstrous performance for UE with 15 points and 18 rebounds but Roi Sumang had a relatively quiet game with 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists.

Eager to make up for the two forced shots he took against La Salle in their last game, Ravena did his best to set up his teammates against UE. With the King Eagle getting everyone involved, Ateneo held a 15-11 lead after the first ten minutes.

Trouble brewed for Ateneo in the second as Ravena sat down due to three personal fouls. UE’s defense took advantage as they forced multiple turnovers from Ateneo to grab a 30-23 lead.

With not much going for Ateneo, Newsome decided to take control as he rallied to tie the ball game at 30-all with some help from Nico Elorde. On the next play, Sumang found Chris Javier open down low to retake give UE a two-point lead but Von Pessumal replied with a triple for Ateneo on the other side.

Elorde finished the first half with a floater to give Ateneo a 35-32 advantage.

Newsome led Ateneo with 12 points in the half while Ponso Gotladera had eight. Charles Mammie paced UE with nine points and six rebounds.

After exploding from the field in their last meeting, Ravena and Sumang were quiet as the King Eagle only had four points although he did have four rebounds and four assists. Sumang was held scoreless in the first 20 minutes. He had one rebound and two assists.

The Main Man: Newsome scored a season-high for Ateneo with 23 points. He added six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Honorable Mentions: Ravena scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out seven assists in the game, nine of his points came in the fourth quarter. Von Pessumal also had a good game with 13 points and eight rebounds, including the game-sealing free throws.

Game Turning Point: Leave it up to the King Eagle. Ravena scored an a long three-point bomb to stretch Ateneo’s lead to four points, 76-72, with 14 seconds left in the game.

They  Said It:

Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol: Kiefer laid the frosting, after the team baked. Nakatulong yung better start. Everybody contributed. Nandun lang si Kiefer sa gilid. We're trying to work on improving the bench production but I am relieved na nalampasan namin Ito at nakapunta ng 7th win.

Kiefer Ravena: You'd want to bounce back after the loss. I can hear the UE crowd say ‘one big flop.’

The scores:

Ateneo 78: Newsome 23, Ravena 16, Pessumal 13, Elorde 11, Gotladera 11, Babilonia 2, Capacio 1, T. Ravena 1.

UE 73: Mammie 15, Sumang 10, Varilla 8, De Leon 8, Olayon 7, Alberto 7, Jumao-as 7, Arafat 4, Palma 3, Galanza 2, Javier 2.

Quarters: 15-11, 35-32, 54-51, 78-73.