Ateneo routs UP

Games today:

Philsports Arena

1 p.m. – UE vs. La Salle

3 p.m. – Adamson vs. NU

FOR ALL THE hype that has surrounded the University of the Philippines after they broke their losing spell, it seems that not much has changed in the “Battle of Katipunan” as the Ateneo Blue Eagles routed the Fighting Maroons, 77-57, in the 74th UAAP basketball tournament yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.

In a show of utter dominance, all five starters for Ateneo managed to score in double-digits while nobody reached that plateau for the Maroons. Once again, the two rookie sensations of the Blue Eagles led the way as  Kiefer Ravena tallied 15 points, four rebounds and four assists while seven-footer, Greg Slaughter, had a double-double with 14 points and 13 boards.

Adding even more damage were the wing combination of Kirk Long and Emman Monfort as the latter had 13 points, four rebounds and four assists while the former logged in 14 points, two rebounds and three assists. The win pushed Ateneo to the top of the standings with a 5-0 (win-loss) record.

For a while there, it seemed as if the Maroons had a huge upset in the making as they led, 21-19, after the first 10 minutes of play. However, the Blue Eagles quickly brought them down to reality as Ateneo answered the call with a 15-2 run at the end of the second canto, which was capped off by a buzzer-beating lay-in by Ravena, to help them lead, 42-31.

Ateneo then made quick work of UP for the remainder of the match. Adding insult to injury, the Maroons did themselves no favors by shooting 9-of-38 in the second half. Also, forward Carlo Gomez was ejected from the game for a punching foul on Nico Salva.

Mike Silungan, Jett Manuel and Mike Gamboa each had eight to pace UP, which fell to 1-3. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio