14 October 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – Despite without a few key players, Ateneo De Manila University bounced back from their loss last week and defeated University of the Philippines, 83-66, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Thirdy Ravena and Tyler Tio stepped up for the Blue Eagles as Matt Nieto is out with a fever, while his brother Mike is tending to a mid-ankle sprain.
Ateneo led by as much as 29 points in the first half thanks to Tio’s best performance yet in the season, along with veterans Ravena and Raffy Verano.
UP was able to cut the deficit coming into the third with Bright Akhuetie leading the pack and tie the game at 48-all with only two minutes left.
However, Ravena and Jolo Mendoza knocked down back-to-back baskets that gave Ateneo back its lead, 54-48.
Ravena orchestrated a 7-2 run opening the fourth to keep them comfortable with a 61-50 advantage.
With six minutes left in the game, the Fighting Maroons seems to be on their way to bounce back as brothers Javi and Juan Gomez De Liano’s shots cut the lead to seven, 63-56.
But, luck was not in their favor as Javi got called for his second technical foul.
Ateneo seeing the opportunity, grabbed it and went on to win the game.
Ravena finished with a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds on top of two steals and two blocks, while Tio had 12 markers and five assists as Ateneo improved to a 6-2 win-loss record for a solo lead in the tournament.
On the other hand, MVP candidate Akhuetie had 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench, while Paul Desiderio had 16 markers, seven boards and three assists with UP dropping to sixth place with a 3-5 slate.
The Scores:
ATENEO 83 – Ravena 21, Tio 12, Verano 10, Mendoza 10, Asistio 9, Kouame 9, Mamuyac 6, Belangel 4, Go 2, Navarro 0, Black 0, Wong 0
UP 66 – Akhuetie 20, Desiderio 16, Manzo 8, Gomez de Liano Ju 5, Gomez de Liano Ja 4, Dario 3, Jaboneta 2, Prado 2, Murrell 2, Vito 2, Gozum 2, Spencer 0, Lim 0
Quarter scores: 18-15, 35-29, 54-48, 83-66
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