Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Ateneo Blue Eagles bounced back from their opening day loss with a 84-60 drubbing of the Adamson Falcons in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) on Saturday (September 12) at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Kiefer Ravena led the Blue Eagles with 24 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
In the first half, it looked like an upset was a possibility as the less fancied Adamson Falcons kept the game close heading into the break, trailing 34-30.
The halftime interval was all the Blue Eagles needed, as they started the third quarter on the front foot and blazed their way to a 11-3 run to put some distance between themselves and the Falcons.
The Katipunan-based squad would continue to pile on the pressure and did not allow Adamson to get close, finishing off the contest at 84-60.
Adamson big man Pape Sarr had a big game for his side with 13 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks.
Ateneo coach Bo Perasol said that this victory helped the team regain self-confidence after the heavy handed loss in their opening game.
“Whatever confidence we had in that first game was really shattered,” he said. “The way we played in the second half, is the way we conditioned our team to play for this season.”
The Ateneo bench finally showed up for Perasol, with Aaron Black and Matt Nieto chipping in with 11 and 9 markers, respectively.
“Everyone else contributed and that’s what really mattered today,” said Perasol.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles will look to build on their win against the National University Bulldogs on Wednesday (September 16), while the Adamson Falcons will look for their first win against the University of the East Red Warriors on the same day.
