MANILA, Philippines - La Salle shut down Kiefer Ravena as it pounded out a 57-53 decision over Ateneo to force a sudden death for the UAAP juniors crown while Adamson repeated over Far Eastern U to cop its first women’s crown in five years in the 72nd UAAP basketball season at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.
The Junior Archers limited Ravena to a mere six-point effort while relying on Gwynne Capacio and Filipino-German Arnold Van Opstal down the stretch to complete the come-from-behind victory.
The Lady Falcons likewise drew strength from its defense in the fourth quarter as they swept the Lady Tams, 64-50, in their own side of the duel.
“I believe it was our defense particularly in the fourth quarter that won it for us,” said Adamson coach Emily Vega.
It was Vega’s third title as coach after steering the Marcelino-based cagebelles to back-to-back crowns from 2003-04. Vega was also a member of the Adamson team that swept its way to the 1993 UAAP championship and the same squad that won again the following year.
Reigning MVP Analyn Almazan dished out 19 points and 16 rebounds to cap her spectacular year.
Ravena, who sizzled with 33 points in leading Ateneo to an 80-73 triumph in the series’ opener last Saturday, struggled all day in the face of the Junior Archers double-teaming defense.
“I told the boys we’re not going to stop Kiefer with individual defense, it’s our team defense that’s going to stop him,” said La Salle mentor Boris Aldeguer.
Capacio, son of Far Eastern U’s senior team coach Glenn, fired 19 points, including the pair of foul shots that sealed that victory for La Salle.
The 6-7 Van Opstal, on the other hand, had 10 points, including six in the final quarter, and finished with 10 rebounds and four shot blocks. – Joey Villar