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Ravena closes the show as Ateneo turns back UST

Kiefer Ravena of ADMU, during the match of Ateneo de Manila University vs University of Santo Tomas at UAAP Season 77 in Smart Araneta on 30 August, 2014. (Dante Diosina Jr/NPPA IMAGES)

The Ateneo Blue Eagles used a fourth quarter run to defeat the injury-saddled University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 69-58, Saturday night in UAAP men's basketball action at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

King Eagle Kiefer Ravena led Ateneo again with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. Chris Newsome added 14 points and nine rebounds to their cause.

The Blue Eagles learned a tough lesson in their last game as they started flat against the rampaging National University Bulldogs. This time around, Ateneo did not score all that much in the first quarter but their defense also held the Tigers down.

Ateneo kept UST on the back foot for most of the game. The Tigers were able to make a run to bring the Ateneo lead down to two points, 51-49, after a jumper from Aljon Mariano at the 8:57 mark of the fourth
However, the Eagles responded with a 10-0 run to build a 61-49 lead with only 5:27 left in the game.

UST tried to mount one final rally but Kiefer Ravena kept Ateneo in front with jumper to end the game

Ateneo now holds solo second place with a 8-3 tally while the Tigers fall to 5-6.

Karim Abdul played another good game with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Louie Vigil added 14 while Mariano chipped in 12. After the three, no other Tiger scored more than five points.

Ateneo held a 19-13 advantage after the first 10 minutes. In the second quarter, Ravena assumed the role of a playmaker as he found Ateneo bigs wide open inside. However, UST stayed in the game as none of the Blue Eagle bigs could defend Karim Abdul.

Ravena, who had nine points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals, in the first half closed out the first 20 minutes with a free throw to give Ateneo a 38-30 lead.

Abdul led UST with nine points and eight rebounds, and two steals.

UST made a run in the third quarter to cut Ateneo’s lead down to just four points but the Tigers could not complete their comeback.

The Main Man: Ravena led the Eagles with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. He was the playmaker in the first half but he scored more when Ateneo needed him to.

Honorable Mentions: Chris Newsome added 14 points and nine rebounds from Ateneo. The Eagles also got a good lift from rookie John Apacible who seven points in very limited minutes.

Game Turning Point: Ateneo’s 10-0 run right when the Tigers thought they had the momentum completely turned the game around for the Eagles. The Tigers were not able to threaten from that point on.

The scores:

ADMU 69: Ravena 23, Newsome 14, Elorde 7, Apacible 7, Tolentino 6, Pessumal 6, Babilonia 3, Capacio 2, Lim 1, Gotladera 0.

UST 58: Abdul 17, Vigil 14, Mariano 12, Basibas 5, Subido 4, Gayosa 4, Daquioag 2, Sheriff 0, Lo 0, Pe 0, Lao 0.

Quarters: 19-13, 38-30, 50-46, 69-58