IKEH, RAVENA LEAD BLUE EAGLES WITH SARR SIDELINED FOR ADAMSON
By Maxine Louise Lagman
9 September 2017
With big man Papi Sarr’s absence on their debut game, the Adamson University faced a heartbreak, as Ateneo lashed over them to claim their first win in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament, 85-65 on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s a good win for us. I guess we were a bit lucky that Papi Sarr was not in the game,” said Ateneo Coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
Sarr, who led Adamson to the Final Four last season, was sidelined due to a groin injury, leaving the Falcons out-rebounded with a 60-35 record against Ateneo.
Meanwhile, Chi Ikeh looks to take on his part as he led the Blue Eagles and toppled over the Falcons, exploding about nine points in the first quarter and soon, finished with a double-double record of 18 points and 17 rebounds.
“We weren’t as surprised that Ikeh played a good game, because he has been playing well for us the past few week during our games and practices,” added Arespacochaga.
The Falcons tried to keep up with the Blue Eagles, as Kurt Lojera and Keith Zaldivar cut their deficit back to a single digit, 63-54, but Thirdy Ravena scored seven points in an 8-0 run and extended to a 16-point lead, 76-60.
Adamson top scorers Sean Manganti and Jerrick Ahanmisi was nowhere to be found, as they struggled to make a basket for the squad.
Ravena led the Blue Eagles with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Jolo Mendoza had 14 points.
On the other hand, Lojera finished with 11 points, while Zaldivar added 10 markers in the loss. Ahanmisi has gone 4-of-16 from the field and finished nine points, while Manganti also wound up with nine markers.
The Scores:
ADMU 85 – Ravena 20, Ikeh 18, Mendoza 14, Asistio 9, Tolentino 7, Go 4, Nieto Ma 3, White 3, Porter 3, Nieto Mi 2, Black 2, Verano 0, Mamuyac 0, Mallillin 0, Andrade 0.
