Veterans took charge over the rookie-laden Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) as the Blue Eagles outshined a stubborn University of the East (UE) squad, 77-72, Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blue Eagles surged ahead as league leaders in the first round of the UAAP men’s basketball competition with a 3-1 record.
Graduating players Von Pessumal and Kiefer Ravena took charge on pivotal moments of the game, staving off a foul-saddled Red Warrior squad.
Pessumal, a deadly shooter from outside, fired 14 points in the second quarter, when Ateneo scored 28 points. He finished with 21 points on top of five triples.
Ravena, meanwhile, scored eight of his season low 15 points in the fourth quarter, when UE came as close as three points after trailing by 17 in the third quarter. While scoring below 20 points for the first time in season 78, the reigning MVP dished out nine assists.
The game started with both teams trading baskets, as Ateneo exploited UE’s inferior frontline by collecting several fouls and offensive rebounds.
Senior center Alfonso Gotladera was Ateneo’s man in the first and third quarter, scoring 11 points, absorbing four fouls on UE, and scoring on putbacks to set the pace for the Blue Eagles.
Pessumal then fired three triples in the second quarter for a 12-2 run to open the period.
The Blue Eagles then pulled away in the third quarter with Gotladera manning the post and Pessumal firing two more triples. Things also got worse for the Red Warriors as their leading scorer Edson Batiller committed his fourth foul on the 9:30 mark of the period.
Batiller though did a McArthur act in the fourth quarter, putting things on his own despite being in foul trouble, and while defending Ravena at the same time.
After a triple by Edgar Charcos and a scoop shot by Chris Javier, Batiller went on to score on a dipsy-layup seconds after he was sent back in the eight-minute mark of the fourth quarter. He then converted three more points in succession as UE opened a 10-0 run in crunchtime for a 60-63 deficit.
Ravena, however, matched Batiller’s firepower with a hook shot and two nifty passes to Gideon Babilonia and Chibueze Ikeh for a 6-0 counterattack to go ahead at 69-60.
Despite the odds, UE still charged on under the wings of 17-year-old Fran Yu, who manned the point guard position. He scored four points, stole two possessions, and issued a bullet pass to Clark Derige as UE went back again, 70-73, with 30 seconds left.
UE though made a tactical mistake by fouling even if they can take the possession back. Ravena and Mike Nieto sank four free throws down the stretch while the Red Warriors could not shoot a triple when they needed it.
Batiller, despite playing only 20 minutes, still led the 2-2 Warriors with 19 points while Javier added 17.
File photo by Martin San Diego
