Struggling Ateneo looks to rebound against rival La Salle

By Donjie Carreon Posted Jul 6th 2013

Remember the last time the Ateneo de Manila University opened its UAAP basketball campaign with three straight losses? 1994.

The prospects of such a slow start is looming large as the five-time defending champions are set to go against rival De La Salle University on Sunday, 4 p.m. without star guard Kiefer Revena, who remains sidelined with a severe ankle injury.

Ravena gutted it out during Ateneo’s first game against the National University Bulldogs, but the team decided to sit him down after eight unproductive minutes. Ateneo lost that game, 64-54, and went down again versus the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in overtime, 79-75, on Wednesday despite 29 points from veteran forward Ryan Buenafe.

La Salle, meanwhile, bounced back from its opening game loss to the University of Sto. Tomas by blasting the University of the Philippines, 96-84, on Thursday led by rookie Jason Perkins.

Ateneo is sure to miss Ravena, who has said he enjoys playing against La Salle. In five matches against La Salle, Ravena has averaged 19.8 points per game including 28 points to close out the Archers during the Final Four Season 75 elimination match. Ravena also scored 31 points to lead the Eagles in a win over La Salle in the 2013 Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup early this June.

Ateneo has won the last six matches against La Salle to lead the overall head-to-head UAAP record at 36 to 34. But Ateneo’s current team may be its weakest in years with the departure of Mythical Five center Greg Slaughter,  Season 75 Finals Most Valuable Player Nico Salva and coach Norman Black, who decided to move to the pro-league after leading the Eagles to its five straight titles.

The game will air live on Studio 23, BALLS HD 167 and uaapsports.tv with a same day replay at 11 p.m. on BALLS SkyCable channel 34 or Destiny channel 36.

ATENEO – DLSU UAAP HEAD - TO - HEAD MEETINGS SINCE 1986 (ATENEO LEADS, 36 – 34)

1986: ATENEO 77, DLSU 65
         ATENEO 81, DLSU 80
1987: ATENEO 95, DLSU 91
         ATENEO 98, DLSU 89
1988: DLSU 78, ATENEO 76
         ATENEO 73, DLSU 72
         ATENEO 76, DLSU 70 (FINALS)
1989: DLSU 77, ATENEO 69
          ATENEO 67, DLSU 61
1990: DLSU 64, ATENEO 57
          DLSU 66, ATENEO 64
1991:  DLSU 99, ATENEO 77
          DLSU 79, ATENEO 75
1992: DLSU 70, ATENEO 64
          DLSU 94, ATENEO 89
1993: DLSU 81, ATENEO 71
         ATENEO 77, DLSU 66
1994: DLSU 81, ATENEO 66
         ATENEO 73, DLSU 72, OT
1995: ATENEO 54, DLSU 49
         DLSU 66, ATENEO 58
1996: DLSU 77, ATENEO 69
         ATENEO 80, DLSU 55*
1997: DLSU 61, ATENEO 54
         DLSU 68, ATENEO 66
1998: DLSU 64, ATENEO 50
         DLSU 87, ATENEO 75
1999: ATENEO 60, DLSU 57
          DLSU 70, ATENEO 59
2000: DLSU 94, ATENEO 70**
          ATENEO 66, DLSU 63
2001: DLSU 91, ATENEO 76
         DLSU 76, ATENEO 63
         DLSU 74, ATENEO 68 (FINALS)
          ATENEO 76, DLSU 72 (FINALS)
          DLSU 93, ATENEO 88 (FINALS)
2002:  DLSU 70, ATENEO 60
          ATENEO 76, DLSU 63
          ATENEO 72, DLSU 70 (FINALS)
          DLSU 85, ATENEO 77 (FINALS)
          ATENEO 77, DLSU 70 (FINALS)
2003:  ATENEO 82, DLSU 68
          ATENEO 98, DLSU 89
          DLSU 76, ATENEO 72, OT (FINAL 4)
          ATENEO 74, DLSU 68 (FINAL 4)
2004: ATENEO 75, DLSU 72
          DLSU 72, ATENEO 61
          DLSU 82, ATENEO 69 (PLAYOFF FOR #2)
          DLSU 69, ATENEO 55 (FINAL FOUR)
2005: DLSU 78, ATENEO 60
          DLSU 72, ATENEO 55
          DLSU 74, ATENEO 57 (FINAL FOUR)
2007: ATENEO 80, DLSU 77, OT
         ATENEO 89, DLSU 87
         DLSU 70, ATENEO 69 (PLAYOFF FOR #2)
         ATENEO 76, DLSU 75 (STEP-LADDER FINAL FOUR)
         DLSU 65, ATENEO 60 (STEP-LADDER FINAL FOUR)
2008: ATENEO 79, DLSU 73
         ATENEO 65, DLSU 57
         ATENEO 69, DLSU 61 (FINALS)
         ATENEO 62, DLSU 51 (FINALS)
2009: ATENEO 76, DLSU 72, OT
         ATENEO 81, DLSU 65
2010: DLSU 66, ATENEO 63
          ATENEO 74, DLSU 57
2011: ATENEO 81, DLSU 72
         ATENEO 79, DLSU 62
2012: ATENEO 71, DLSU 61
         ATENEO 77, DLSU 67
         ATENEO 66, DLSU 63 (FINAL FOUR)    

*LARGEST WINNING MARGIN OF ATENEO AGAINST DLSU (25 PTS.)
**LARGEST WINNING MARGIN OF DLSU AGAINST ATENEO (24 PTS.)