The Ateneo Blue Eagles had two reasons to fall in today’s game: Zero triples and 19 turnovers against their opponent’s 11.

That did not matter though, as the four-time defending champions outplayed the feisty yet crippled University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 73-66, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball action today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Mike Silungan throws the ball to no one as the Fighting Maroons suffer another frustrating loss. (Photo by Ericka Alcantara)

“We got lucky,” Ravena said at the post game interview. “We need to focus more and play more intelligently against our next opponents.”

State U opened the game with guns ablaze toward a 15-7 run via the hot shooting of team leaders Mike Silungan and Mark Lopez, despite missing main power forward Chris Ball.

Despite trailing in the first quarter, the Eagle reserves led by JP Erram stepped up with scrappy plays and a scrappier yet effective zone defense in the second quarter. The 6’7” center-forward scored all of his nine points in the first half, yet Ateneo trailed 32-34.

Ravena then retaliated with five straight points at the start of the third quarter as the Blue Eagle bigs capitalized on UP’s foul troubles. Ateneo sank eight free throws for an 8-0 run midway in the quarter as State U’s bench absorbed a technical foul for improper bench decorum. This opened a big Eagle lead, 53-46, en route to the final canto.

In the fourth quarter, Maroon big man Raoul Soyud poured in crucial points against the much taller Greg Slaughter but crucial misses from him, Henri Asilum, and Alvin Padilla toward the end of the game dealt the seventh loss to the Maroons.

Ravena was the lone bright spot for the Eagles with 21 points while Soyud led the Maroons with 14 points.

The Blue Eagles cemented the top spot with a 7-1 record.

La Salle spoils Zamar’s comeback

Earlier, the De La Salle Green Archers rudely welcomed the comeback of returning University of the East Red Warriors head coach Boyzie Zamar with a 73-52 rout.

The Archers, currently in a precarious tie with the National University Bulldogs at fourth and fifth place (5-3), blasted the Warriors at the final canto, 23-11, after being followed closely by the beleaguered team.

Playing without starters LA Revilla and Yutien Andrada due to injuries, the Archers stepped up by hauling a monstrous 66 rebounds as four Archers, including guard Tomas Torres, got at least ten rebounds.

“This served as a buffer for us,” La Salle head coach Gelacio Abanilla said. “We cannot afford to be left behind in the standings at this point in the tournament.”

Jeron Teng led the Archers with 16 points, ten rebounds, and three blocks while 6’7” center Arnold van Opstal had his first breakout game of the season with 12 points and eight rebounds in 14 minutes.

On the flipside, Roi Sumang and Gene Belleza were Zamar’s top wards with 17 and 16 points, respectively.

Former Warrior head coach Jerry Codinera, who coached a total of 21 games for the Warriors in the UAAP, was reportedly assigned as the school’s athletic consultant after this season’s first round. He accumulated four wins for the Warriors, which include the team’s lone win this season against the Adamson Falcons.

Zamar was the head coach for the UE men’s basketball team from 2001 to 2003, when the then-powerhouse team was bannered by current pro stars James Yap, Paul Artadi, and Nino Canaleta.

Eligibility issues trouble Ball

Meanwhile, a league source disclosed to Fullcourtfresh.com a possible forfeiture of all UP men’s basketball games in the Season 75’s first round due to the lack of eligibility papers of main power forward Chris Ball.

According to the source, Ball lacked an alien certificate of residency required by the league for foreign players and that the UAAP board might soon decide on the matter.

The Filipino-American Ball, nephew of former Philippine Basketball Association star Bong Hawkins, plays in his first year for the Maroons and is one of the vital cogs of State U’s campaign. He suited up for the game and was even seen approaching the technical committee to substitute a player, but was eventually denied appearance in the game.

Coach Ricky Dandan said in a post-game interview with Fullcourtfresh.com that Ball’s papers will be submitted next Wednesday.

The scores

First game:

La Salle—74—Teng 16, Van Opstal 12, N. Torres 10, Mendoza 8, Vosotros 8, Webb 7, T. Torres 4, Manguera 4, Paredes 2, Reyes 2, Tallo 0, De la Paz 0

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

Quarter scores: 15-16, 31-24, 50-41, 73-52

Second game:

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

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

Quarter scores: 17-17, 32-34, 53-46, 73-66