Eagles claw fighting Maroons, stay on top

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo bucked a lethargic performance to pull through with a 73-66 victory over a hard-fighting University of the Philippines and continue to hold the fort in the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball tourney at the MOA Arena yesterday.

Kiefer Ravena pumped in 21 points, including a clutch three-point play in the last 26 seconds that secured Ateneo’s sixth straight win for a league-leading 7-1 overall.

“We played good enough to win but not good enough for the future. I’ll let the team know that, “ said Ateneo coach Norman Black, who was expected to give his wards an earful in the post-game huddle.

“I’m definitely not satisfied with the way we played. We didn’t play intelligently, we didn’t play as a team. With (games against) FEU and La Salle coming (next), we definitely have to play a lot better to win (against higher-ranked teams),” he said.

Ateneo gave up 19 turnovers against UP’s 11, which led to 20 extra points for the Maroons (1-7). The Eagles lost the battle off the boards, 16-19, and had a woeful perimeter shooting, 4-of-19 (21%), including 0-of-5 from three-point area.

“Not to take anything against UP, their gameplan is solid, they played with a lot of heart and desire,” said Black.

Raul Soyud and Mike Silungan posted 14 and 13, respectively, for UP, which opted to sit out Chris Ball pending completion of his eligibility papers.

In the first game, Jeron Teng and Arnold Van Opstal provided the huge lift as La Salle thumped University of the East, 73-52, for a share of fourth spot.

Teng, a hot rookie, rifled in 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had three blocks following his 35-point explosion in an 87-86 win over NU last Aug. 18.

Teng triggered the Archers’ breakaway late in the second quarter of the game they dedicated to the late Interior Sec. Jesse Robredo, a DLSU alumnus.

Van Opstal had his breakout game with 12 markers, including nine in the second half that helped the Archers post the blowout win, hiking their card to 5-3 in a tie for No. 4 with idle National U.

UE absorbed its seventh loss in eight games, the first under Boyzie Zamar who took over coaching chores from Jerry Codiñera only last Thursday.

“It’s a good win for us. I think we really needed this as we can’t afford to be left behind in the team standings,” said DLSU coach Gee Abanilla, whose wards had yellow bands with Robredo’s initials “JMR” taped on their left shoulders to honor the late Cabinet member.

It was the third straight triumph for DLSU, which bucked the absence of starting guard LA Revilla and frontliner Yutien Andrada, both out on sprained ankles.

“We’ve lost two key players but the guys responded well and stepped up,” Abanilla said, referring to Van Opstal, whose partnership with Norbert Torres (10 points, 11 rebounds) helped DLSU dominate the boards, 66-40, and rookie guard Thomas Torres, who grabbed 10 boards, issued five assists, and had four points in a pinch-hitting job.

“We’ll be up against UST and Ateneo next so this game seems to be a buffer for us and at least we’re tied with NU (at third),” said Abanilla.

Roi Sumang and Gene Belleza shot 17 and 16, respectively, for UE, which engaged DLSU in a tight contest before Teng drilled in six in an 8-2 windup in the second quarter. to give the Archers a 31-24 cushion.

Teng and Van Opstal took turns in a series of runs in the third quarter to widen the gap for good, 50-37.

The scores:

First Game

DLSU 73 – Teng 16, Van Opstal 12, N. Torres 10, Vosotros 8, Mendoza 8, Webb 7, T. Torres 4, Manguera 4, Reyes 2, Paredes 2, Tallo 0, Dela Paz 0.

UE 52 – Sumang 17, Belleza 16, Javier 8, Flores 5, Alberto 2, Santos 2, Hernandez 2, Sumido 0, Villarias 0, Valdez 0, Galanza 0, Duran 0, Duncil 0.

Quarterscores: 15-16, 31-24, 50-41, 73-52

Second Game

AdMU 73 – Ravena 21, Salva 10, Gonzaga 10, Slaughter 9, Erram 9, Tiongson 6, Chua 3, Buenafe 3, Elorde 2, Sumalinog 0, Pessumal 0, Golla 0.

UP 66 – Soyud 14, Silungan 13, Asilum 10, Lopez 8, Padilla 6, Gamboa 6, Gallarza 5, Montecastro 2, Hipolito 2, Mbah 0, Wierzba 0, Romero 0, Manuel 0.

Quarterscores: 17-17, 32-34, 53-46, 73-66