Ravena, Newsome team up as Eagles keep Maroons fruitless

By Josiah Albelda Posted Jul 21st 2013

The Blue Mamba is back. Well, 50% back, according to his coach.

Kiefer Ravena and Chris Newsome starred in a third-quarter breakaway as Ateneo de Manila University kept University of the Philippines in the doldrums with a 72-64 win in the 76th UAAP men's basketball tournament Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With the Fighting Maroons keeping the game close in the opening minutes, the Blue Eagles leaned on Newsome and Ravena to build a huge lead and never look back.

Newsome and Ravena, in his third game back from injury, combined for 10 points as the five-peat champions outscored the Season 75 last-placers, 19-10, in the period.

"The good thing about us is that Kiefer is already 50%," said Perasol of his prized ward. "You have to watch out for that other 50%."

If this game is any indication, then Perasol has a reason to be optimistic.

Ravena, who scored a grand total of 15 points in his first three games this season, posted a tournament-high 15 against the Maroons and showed the spring nonexistent after sustaining a Grade 3 ankle sprain before Season 76 began.

"We started out strong today in the third," Ravena shared. "In the past few games, the third quarter has been our waterloo."

This time, though, the Eagles put on a show in the period.

After UP briefly led, 28-27, off a Cris Ball outback with 3:49 left in the second period, Ateneo went on a backbreaking 11-2 run capped by a Nico Elorde triple to take a 38-30 halftime lead.

Ravena and Newsome then took over in the third quarter as the Katipunan-based squad built several 17-point spreads in securing their second win in six games.

Newsome added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Eagles while Buenafe, back from an injury-marred stint in their loss to the University of the East last Wednesday, also had 13 markers and seven boards.

Skipper Juami Tiongson posted nine points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The Scores:

Ateneo 72 – Ravena 15, Newsome 13, Buenafe 13, Tiongson 9, Golla 6, Pessumal 4, Erram 4, Elorde 4, Tolentino 2, Capacio 2, Murphy 0, Lim 0, Asistio 0.

UP 64 – Marata 22. Ligad 10, Ball 10, Soyud 8, Lao 7, Desiderio 3, Wong 2, Asilum 2, Suarez 0, Pascual 0, Gingerich 0, Gallarza 0, Amar 0.

Quarters: 19-17, 38-30, 57-40, 72-64.

On the other hand, Sam Marata paced the Maroons with a career-high 22 points but shot just nine of 24 from the field as UP lost their fifth straight outing.