FilOil: Ateneo Blue Eagles continue to climb, soar past UE Red Warriors

(Updated 7:47pm) The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles slew the University of the East Red Warriors on Wednesday, 77-72, in the FilOil Flying V Hanes Preseason Cup played at the San Juan Arena. The reigning UAAP champions have now won five of their six games in the tournament, including two straight, in Group B play. The Eagles will next face the Lyceum Pirates (0-1) on Friday before departing for additional training in Las Vegas, Kyoto and Tokyo. On the other hand, the Warriors evened their win-loss record following an 81-62 romp over the Southwestern University Cobras last week, 1-1. UE will play the San Sebastian-Recoletos Golden Stags (0-1) on May 1. Kiefer Ravena led all scorers with 23 points, six rebounds and five assists. Pessumal added 19 points, including 5-of-7 shots from beyond the arc. Nico Elorde had 14 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Chris Newsome notched six points, 13 rebounds and five assists. "We knew UE was gonna be a tough team, a contender in their own little way. It just happened that I knocked down my shots because my teammates kept finding me," said Pessumal. "My team knew the definition of the word 'gritty.' They were so persistent and they didn't mind they were undermanned." said Eagles head coach Bo Perasol. "I keep asking myself how we're going to survive with the personnel we have, but with the heart they showed, I know where we're gonna get our fighting spirit." "I think we showed a lot of people how we're going to win this season. It was an ugly win pero panalo naman, we'll take it," said Ravena. "This is a gauge of where we are right now. I think it's a good sign na after this game we know where we are." The Eagles started the game by moving the ball around for open jumpers, as Frank Golla nailed one from 16-feet to give them a 6-2 lead. In response, Roi Sumang pushed the pace for the Warriors, scoring their first seven points en route to taking an 11-10 lead, capped by a Ralph Olivares drive. With two minutes to play, Charles Mammie scored twice beneath the rim, ending a three-minute draught for both teams. Ateneo center Gideon Babilonia however re-aggravated his shoulder injury defending his UE counterpart, and had to step off the court. The one-time Arellano University Chief was an imposing deterrent against the Eagles' forays inside, but loose ball fouls allowed them to catch up, as Nico Elorde made four straight charities in the last 20 seconds, to equalize 15-15, after the first quarter. Both teams traded baskets to kick off the second quarter, and the Warriors gained a 26-24 edge after Sumang spun through defenders in transition. Ateneo whoever recovered thanks to Von Pessumal's three straight triples, part of a 12-4 run, capped by a Kiefer Ravena and-one play for a 33-26 lead. The Warriors, undeterred, mainly continued to cherry-pick their moments against Ateneo's transition defense. They also took advantage of their opponents' diminished front line, cutting the lead to one as Lord Casajeros scored on a put-back with two minutes to play, 38-37. Once again though, the Eagles got by despite missing from the field in the last four minutes, as Ravena and Elorde closed the half going 5-of-6 from the line to maintain a 43-37 lead. The Eagles shot 13-of-29 after two quarters (45 percent) against UE's 16-of-40 mark (40 percent). Ateneo held a 10-0 lead in turnover points, which was slightly offset by the Warriors' 8-0 advantage in second-chance points. Ateneo also converted 14-of-17 from the line (82 percent) against UE's 3-of-4 (75 percent). UE exploited the Eagles around the rim when play resumed, as cutters came to Sumang's aid for easy baskets in the paint. JM Noble picked up a pair of and-ones around the block as six different Warriors scored in a 19-5 torrent, giving them a 56-48 advantage. While the Eagles were repelled by UE's perimeter defense, Pessumal was an exception, draining a triple to highlight eight unanswered points, to haul his side within one with two minutes to play. The Warriors countered with five straight against Ateneo's slow-footed defense, but Elorde nailed another trey with three seconds remaining to keep them within striking distance, 61-58, heading into the final period. Elorde began the fourth quarter with another three-pointer as the Eagles looked to run on each possession. Ateneo cut loose for a 9-2 run as Sumang, UE's primary ball-handler and scorer, sat out with his fourth personal foul. UE got the ball to Mammie in the paint, but he couldn't make his free throws once fouled. Meanwhile the Eagles fared better in the halfcourt, getting another Pessumal trey and a Frank Golla lay-up, 73-68. Sumang returned with under four minutes to play, and he promptly got to the line for two points. However, the Warriors repeatedly came up short while on the other end, as Ravena hit a midrange jumper, to add to charities by Pessumal, 76-70. The Warriors looked to score with under two minutes remaining, and Chris Javier delivered with two from the free throw line. UE then forced the Eagles into a shot clock violation on the other end, but traded turnovers with Ateneo until the Red Warriors got the ball back with 34.9 seconds to play. Sumang however missed on the ensuing drive and his team was forced to foul Pessumal with 16.3 seconds left, who split from the line. The Warriors would not score again, preserving the win for Ateneo. The Eagles made 7-of-21 from beyond the arc (33 percent) to finish with a 24-of-64 mark (38 percent). On the other hand the Warriors were 3-of-24 from deep (13 percent) and finished 28-of-69 overall (41 percent). Ateneo won the battle for turnover points (16-8) and assists (19-9) while UE edged them in rebounding (43-41), fast break points (11-9) and second-chance points (8-2). Roi Sumang led UE with 18 points and six rebounds. Charles Mammie added 12 points and six boards on a perfect 5-of-5 outing from the field, but made only 2-of-6 from the free throw line. - AMD, GMA News The scores: ADMU 77: Ravena 23, Pessumal 19, Elorde 14, Golla 8, Newsome 6, Murphy 3, Tiongson 2, Tolentino 2, Asistio 0, Lim 0, Babilonia 0 UE 72: Sumang 18, Mammie 12, Noble 8, Jumao-as 7, Javier 6, Bonleon 5, Santos 4, Casajeros 4, Olivares 4, Guion 2, Flores 2, Sumido 0 Quarter scoring: 15-15, 43-37, 58-61, 77-72