Kiefer soars high as Eagles clip Archers

MANILA, Philippines -- Kiefer Ravena took matters into his own hands and showered 'The Big Dome' with triples from all angles in the payoff period to lead the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a scintillating 97-86 win over rival De Lasalle Green Archers in the 77th season of the UAAP men's baskeball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

Ravena erupted for 29 points, 23 in the second half behind four triples in the fourth quarter, while Von Pessumal and Arvin Tolentino added 17 and 14 points, respectively, for the Katipunan-based squad.

Undersized in the post, Ateneo unearthed a hidden gem in Fonso Gotladera, a transferee from DLSU. He scored 17 points and grabbed eight boards but more importantly, he held his own against the Green Archers vaunted frontline.

"For me I think we just wanted to win as a team, I got to commend the coaches kasi sila yung nag-scout at gumawa ng game plan para sa amin," said Gotladera who shot an efficient 6-of-7 from the field and split his free throws (5-of-10) in a foul-ridden fourth quarter.

DLSU tried to fight back but Ravena was too much in the early part of the final canto.  The fourth year player drilled three straight triples to open the quarter then Tolentino added five quick points capped by a triple of his own to give Ateneo a 75-66 advantage with 5:25 left.

Jeron Teng attacked the basket to stop the bleeding but Pessumal scored a crucial putback before Teng split his free throws to cut the lead, 77-69.

Ateneo quickly put together another run when Gotladera and Ravena presided over an 8-2 blast to give the Blue Eagles a comfortable 85-71 lead with 2:09 left in the game.

"For me as a coach, I need to remind the boys it's just another win. Hindi naman two wins katumbas nito but I'm happy for them," said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol.

DLSU tried a hack-a-Gotladera approach in the fourth quarter and shot well during the early parts of the ordeal before tactically subbed in and out of the game for Elorde depending on the situation.

"He has to experience that kung tatanggalin ko siya dun lahat na ng kalaban namin gagawin yung hack-a-Gotladera. Ineensayo naman niya araw-araw yun and it's a matter of giving him confidence," said Perasol.

The third quarter saw an exchange of runs with a 13-6 salvo fronted by Ateneo quick start but DLSU countered to back to cut the deficit 59-61 entering the fourth quarter.

Jason Perkins paced the Archers with 25 markers and 10 boards while Almond Vosotros, Jeron Teng and Arnold Van Opstal chipped 18, 15 and 10 points in that order.

Ateneo had a slim 39-37 advantage at the break led by Pessumal, the lone player to score in double digits with 12 points.

The Blue Eagles caught NU and UE at the top of the standings with a 2-0 card while the defending champions DLSU finds themselves in the bottom after absorbing its second straight loss to open the season.