Eaglets rip Junior Archers

MANILA, Philippines - Kiefer Ravena turned himself to a one-man wrecking crew, erupting for 33 points as Ateneo smashed La Salle-Zobel, 80-73, in Game One of the 72nd UAAP juniors basketball championship at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Ravena, son of former PBA star Bong and collegiate volleyball player Mozzy, was simply unstoppable, leading the Eaglets to the win that enhanced Ateneo’s bid for a possible double-championship in the current UAAP season.

The Eaglets try to wrap things up at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the same venue. The Ateneo juniors, the winningest in the league, are gunning for a sixth back-to-back championships and 16th title in all.

Ateneo is also looking to accomplish a golden-double, hoping to win both the UAAP seniors and juniors basketball championships.

Earlier, Adamson relied on Katherine Sandel’s awesome all-around effort as it walloped defending champion Far Eastern U, 58-51, to likewise move within a win of winning the women’s crown.

Sandel scored 18 points, draining eight of 11 field-goal shots while also coming through with five assists and four rebounds.

The Lady Falcons are now on the verge of tying the Lady Tams with five championships each. The Santo Tomas Tigresses and the State U Lady Maroons have 11 and seven titles, respectively.

Big boy Al Bugarin provided Ravena with massive help as the bull-strong forward came through with 10 points and 14 rebounds including eight on the offensive end.

Nico Elorde, grandson of boxing legend Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Gwynne Capacio, son of FEU seniors team mentor Glenn, had 15 points and 12 boards while tall Arnold Van Opstal had 12 points, nine rebounds and six blocks for the Junior Archers.