The Ateneo de Manila University tightens their hold on the third spot of the standings as they sweep the defending champions this season 68-59 in the first match of the Sunday Gameday of the UAAP at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It was a Kiefer Ravena show that happened in the game as the "Phenom" again showed the defending champs why he is the reigning MVP, 6 straight triples from Ravena early in the first quarter stun not only the opponents, but also the spectators watching the game as he single-handedly gave the Blue Eagles an early 21-6 lead with less than five minutes left in the first period, though the Bulldogs were able to recover and trimmed the deficit down to 24-16 at the end of the first.
In the second period the NU Bulldogs were able to weather the first quarter storm of Ravena as they were able to make a run early in the second to trim the lead down to 38-35 at the end of the first half.
In the second half, the Bulldogs were able to keep the game close, as Ateneo's shooting started to get cold, but still the Blue Eagles manage to keep their lead at the end of the third period 52-47, the second half was also the turn of Von Pessumal to showcase his scoring skills as he scored 11 points in the third and fourth period.
The Bulldogs kept on chasing Ateneo even trimming the lead by just 5 points 50-45 with 3 minutes left in the game, but to no avail the Blue Eagles still were able to held on to their hot start to finish the game strong sending the Bulldogs down.
Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal scored 52 out of Ateneo's 68 points, meanwhile, Gelo Alolino was the lone bright spot in the offense of the Bulldogs as he tops the scoring for the defending champs with 17 points.
Score:
Ateneo Blue Eagles 68
Ravena 32, Pessumal 20, Ikeh 4, Wong 3, Tolentino A 3, Tolentino M 3, Black 2, Nieto 1.
Ravena 32, Pessumal 20, Ikeh 4, Wong 3, Tolentino A 3, Tolentino M 3, Black 2, Nieto 1.
NU Bulldogs 59
Alolino 17, Aroga 10, Javillonar 8, Diputado 7, Celda 7, Neypes 4, Alejandro 3, Javelona 3.
In the second game, the University of Santo Tomas bounces back from their defeat after beating the UP Fighting Maroons 83-76.
Sunday was a big game for former National Team players, after Kiefer Ravena scoring 32 in the first game, it was his teammate Kevin Ferrer that exploded a career high performance as he led UST back to the final four with his 29 points.
UST showing dominance early in game, leading the Fighting Maroons 12-4 with four minutes left in the opening quarter, but UP didn't let the Tigers to pull away as they were able to cut the lead down to 15-11 at the end of the first period.
Every time UP tries to closed in with the Tigers, UST always find an answer to keep the distance between them and the Maroons, In the second period UP almost get a hand on the lead as they were able to cut the deficit by just a single point at 20-21, but UST immediately were able to get a cushion to end the first half still on top 38-35.
Entering the second half UP still kept on knocking on the door to take the lead, but UST was just unstoppable as they were left behind again at the end of the third 61-51. In the final period UP again tried their luck to get the lead on their side trimming down the lead to 68-71, but the Tigers again were able to pull away to win the game.
Helping Ferrer in scoring are Louie Vigil with 16 and Ed Daquioag with 15, meanwhile Jett Manuel top scored for the Maroons with 21 points.
Score:
UST Growling Tigers 83
Ferrer 29, Vigil 16, Daquioag 15, Abdul 10, Lao 7, Lee 3, Subido 3.
UP Fighting Maroons 76
Manuel 21, Amar 12, Dario 11, Desiderio 10, Asilum 5, Jaboneta 5, Moralde 4, Vito 4, Gallarza 2, Kone 2.
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