Eagles keep Maroons winless

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo bucked a slow start to turn back a hard-luck UP squad taking a 67-56 victory on Thursday in the 76th season of the UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Kiefer Ravena churned out a sterling all-around performance with 14 points, 14 rebounds and five assists while Chris Newsome and Juami Tiongson added 11 points each.

"I think we could have done better. We are bracing ourselves for tougher challenges ahead in the second round," said ADMU coach Bo Perasol.

"But like any other coach, I'll take it anytime and one thing positive is we never gave up," he added.

Ateneo opened the final canto with an 8-2 run capped by a Ravena lay-up to take a comfortable 61-49 lead with 4:47 remaining.

The Eagles locked down on defense allowing only nine points in the payoff period to cruise to their third straight victory.

"I think we did came out sluggish at the start but we pulled through as a team and we need to play all out every game because every win is important in the second round," said Newsome.

Joseph Marata was the lone bright spot for the winless Maroons racking up 15 markers.

UP held a 33-22 lead early in the second quarter but Ateneo closed the first half with an 11-1 blast to cut the deficit, 33-34, entering the break.

Ateneo improved its record to a 4-4 win-loss card while UP remains winless in eight games.