Eagles clip Falcons, climb to fifth spot

MANILA, Philippines --After a gloomy start,  the Ateneo Blue Eagles are back in the hunt for a six-peat.

The Eagles took their fifth win in the last six games staving off a furious fourth quarter rally from the Adamson Falcons to hack out a 79-66 victory in the 76th season of the UAAP men's basketball tourney at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

Kiefer Ravena and Ryan Buenafe starred for the Blue Eagles chipping 18 points apiece to improve their record 5-4 win-loss card and moved closer to the top four teams.

"When Adamson made a huge run in the fourth quarter, I was holding on to my timeout because I wanted them to experience those kind of situations and see how they would react," said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol.

"I have to commend the boys because they stepped up and we won but we're still behind in the standings so this win was important to us," he added.

Ateneo started the second half strong with a whopping 14-1 run capped by a Buenafe runner at the 5:09 markto take a 47-28 lead.

The Blue Eagles kept on pounding on the hapless Falcons and took a huge 57-32 lead entering the payoff period, outscoring their counterparts 24-6 in the third quarter.

Adamson responded in a big way midway of the fourth canto with a blistering 19-0 blast to cut the deficit down 59-51 after Ingrid Sewa completed a 3-point play.

Ravena though had other things in mind and scored eight of the next 12 points for the Blue Eagles to give them their composure back and extend their lead 71-59 with 2:55 remaining.

Buenafe virtually knocked the wind out of the Falcons flickering hopes with a back-breaking three-pointer to beat the shot clock buzzer giving Ateneo a comfortable 74-61 advantage with 1:56 remaining.

"Adamson is a very capable team they showed it especially in the fourth quarter if not for the 20 point lead it would've been a different story," said Ravena.

"I have to commend my teammates because they did the little things pero mali yung nag relax kami sa huli we have to take away that habit," he added.

Adamson fell short of their furious rally and committed crucial turnovers down the stretch to bow out but not with a gallant effort dropping to 3-7 ahead of cellar dweller UP.

Ingrid Sewa led the Falcons with 17 points while Jansen Rios, Rodney Brondial and Jericho Cruz scored 14 points each.

Ateneo used a balance scoring effort in the first half with nine player contributing to take a 33-26 at the break.