Eagles swoop down on winless Maroons, 72-64

MANILA, Philippines -- The Ateneo Blue Eagles bounced back from a sorry loss against UE Wednesday, extending UP’s misery with a 72-64 win over the Maroons in the 76th season of the UAAP men's basketball tournament at the MOA Arena in Pasay Sunday.

"I was giving them a clear picture of what UP can do before the game for them not to play complacent because I believe that UP is a strong team. Their not winning is not a reflection of what they can really do," said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol.

Ateneo controlled the game and had an answer for every UP attack keeping them at bay. The closest the Maroons got in the payoff period was within eight when Tata Marata went on a personal 8-0 run to UP’s deficit, 62-70, with 1:49 remaining.

But Ateneo will not be denied when Juami Tiongson and Chris Newsome combined for an emphatic ally-oop play to douse the rally and give the Blue Eagles a 72-62 breather with 33.6 ticks left.

Kiefer Ravena had a season-high 15 points to pace the Eagles while Newsome and Ryan Buenafe added 13 points each to power Ateneo to its second win against four defeats.

"Kiefer is already 50 percent so you have to watch out for the other 50," said Perasol, drawing laughter in the media room.

"Fortunately though all the players are recuperating the way we planned to, and this week off hopefully will give them more time to rest and heal all their injuries," he added.

With a strong defensive performance in the third quarter, Ateneo flourished and recorded its biggest lead, 57-38 after Vince Tolentino converted inside with 2:16 remaining in the period.

"Ever since the UAAP started, the third quarter has always been our waterloo. At least this time we learned to finally play strong in the third and we pounded the ball inside," said Ravena, who recorded his second straight season-high performance after scoring 11 points against UE last Wednesday.

Marata fired in 22 markers while Jason Ligad and Chris Ball chipped in 10 points apiece for the Maroons, who remain winless in five games.

Ateneo's strong performance from the 3-point zone carried them to a 38-30 lead at the break. Buanefe scored 10 first half points, including two treys, as the Eagles scorched hot from the outside with a 50 percent 3-point shooting clip.