Eagles bounce back, clip Falcons

MANILA, Philippines -- Ateneo regained its confidence as it bounced back from its 24-point opening-game blowout with an 84-60 demolition of Adamson Saturday in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tourney at the MOA Arena.

Kiefer Ravena rifled in 24 points and got much-needed support from Von Pessumal (12) and rookies Aaron Black (11), Matt Nieto (nine) and Jerie Pingoy (eight) as the Eagles got on track after absorbing a stinging 64-80 setback to Far Eastern last week.

“It’s really a good win for us, for our confidence, because whatever confidence we had before our first game, it was really shattered after our loss to FEU,” said coach AdMU coach Bo Perasol.

With Black pumping in six, the Eagles took command in the third period and raced to a 62-48 spread, eventually extending the lead to as high as 26 at 80-54.

“Our performance in the second half was the way we envisioned our team to be this season,” said Perasol, giving credit to the support crew for backstopping Ravena this time.

It was a breakout game for Black, who made four of his six attempts , and grabbed five rebounds, issued two assists and had one steal in his 16-minute debut.

“I’m very proud of Aaron, he really stepped up to the challenge. For a rookie not to play in his first game (against FEU) and play like this (today), that should serve as inspiration to the other rookies. Aaron played his hearts out and gave us the spark in that breakaway,” said Ravena.

Black is the son of UAAP five-peat champion coach and PBA legendary import Norman Black.

“The pressure has been there all my life. At this point the one thing I do is make it a positive thing, something that drives me to work hard so I can live up to expectations,” said Aaron.

Perasol said the key to stopping Adamson was disrupting point guard Joseph Nalos from orchestrating the offensive and import Pape Sarr from doing his thing inside. Sarr still banged in 13 markers and 14 boards while Nalos finished with 10 points.

Notes: Unlikely leaders University of Santo Tomas (UST) and University of the Philippines (UP) dispute the top spot in a battle of unbeaten teams at 2 p.m. today also at the MOA Arena.

The Tigers bared their teeth with a 72-71 upset of fancied Far Eastern U last Wednesday for their second straight win while the Fighting Maroons reached the summit with a 71-66 disposal of La Salle.

The Tams and the Arches, both with 1-1, tangle at 4 p.m.

The Scores:

First Game

AdMU 84 – Ravena 24, Pessumal 12, Black 11, Ma. Nieto 9, Pingoy 8, Capacio 7, M. Tolentino 4, Wong 3, Babilonia 2, Cani 2, Mi. Nieto 2, Apacible 0, Gotladera 0, Ikeh 0, A. Tolentino 0, Go 0.

AdU 60 – Sarr 13, Nalos 10, Ochea 8, Tungcab 8, Garcia 7, Polican 7, Capote 4, Margallo 2, Ng 1, Bernardo 0, Camacho 0, Escalambre 0, Villanueva 0.

Quarterscores: 13-16, 34-30, 62-48, 84-60.