FilOil: Ateneo picks up second win, survives San Sebastian

(Updated 9:05pm) The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles bested the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags, 75-70, in the FilOil Flying V Hanes Preseason Cup, Wednesday, at the FilOil Flying V Arena. Trailing by five after three quarters, the Stags bounced back in a hurry as a drive by CJ Perez capped an 11-3 run for San Sebastian. However Ateneo countered by putting the ball in the hands of Kiefer Ravena, and the third-year guard facilitated a 13-3 run, including a clear-out trey, to make it a 68-62 game with under three minutes to play. Perez charities answered an Earl Murphy lay-up, and Rebollos drove for two to cut the deficit to four with a minute and change remaining. San Sebastian then swiped the next Eagles possession for a Jovit Dela Cruz fast break on the other end, but Ravena couldn't complete an and-one on the next Ateneo possession, 72-68. Juami Tiongson was fouled after the Stags botched an offensive try, but the veteran came up blank at the line. San Sebastian called timeout with 28 ticks remaining and set up Dela Cruz for a baseline drive, leaving Ateneo with 22 seconds on the game clock. The Eagles milked the clock before the Stags were able to foul Murphy with 14 seconds remaining, who split from the line. Without timeouts left, San Sebastian heaved the ball to Perez on the other end, but his reverse lay-up try bounced out. Chris Newsome secured the board and was fouled, and finished the game from the free throw line to settle the score. "It's something we have to get used to," said Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol of his team's small line-up. "I don't think it's going to be easier as blocking out, rebounding or shot-blocking is concerned. We just have to grind it out, and everybody has to step up every time." Perasol said that the small line-up is a two-edged sword, pointing out that teams also have to be able to guard Chris Newsome, a natural wingman, at the power forward spot. "If and when the opponents aren't going to take advantage [of our size], he's going to be quicker than the rest of the bigs of the other teams. The only question is how we're going to get our share of rebounds. "We have to find something na papalit sa lack of height namin. We have to grow bigger, buff everyone up to have that extra push inside," added Kiefer Ravena. "Lagi kaming down sa rebounds eh so pati yung guards kailangang makibakbakan." The Blue Eagles built on their 77-72 win against the Southwestern University Cobras last Saturday to improve to 2-0 in Group B play. San Sebastian on the other hand is 0-1. The Eagles played good transition offense and raced out to a 10-2 lead in the first quarter. But the Stags soon got the better of Ateneo around the rim, as put-backs and unchallenged lay-ups allowed San Sebastian to close the gap, 12-10, on a basket by Bradwyn Guinto. Von Pessumal hit a three-pointer with a minute to play, helping Ateneo retain a 17-14 lead after the first period. In the second quarter, consecutive triples by Jon Rebollos made the bulk of a 10-4 Stags run. Meanwhile, the Eagles struggled with turnovers and couldn't complete drives to the rim. Ateneo turned things around when the slashing lanes opened up and they forced their way to the line, as drives by Juami Tiongson helped bolstered a 10-5 run for the Eagles with just under two minutes to play. However, it would be the Stags who had the final say of the quarter, snatching two transition baskets against an overplaying Ateneo defense to constitute a 34-33 lead at halftime. After two quarters, Ateneo shot 13-of-30 from the field (43 percent). In contrast, San Sebastian was 13-of-35 (37 percent). The Stags held a 25-15 rebounding margin, including 11-4 offensive, after two quarters. Despite that, they only led 6-2 in second-chance points. Both teams went back to trading baskets when play resumed. Ateneo forced the Stags into the penalty situation but couldn't catch up, as penetration plays by Mark Tano and Guinto created a 47-43 lead. With three minutes to play, the Eagles were able to snatch a few transition opportunities to fetch buckets for Chris Newsome and Von Pessumal. Ateneo rode Newsome down the stretch as the forward scored six of their last eight, seizing a 53-48 lead for the Eagles after three quarters.  San Sebastian led 53-43 in rebounds, including 19-13 offensive, to put up a 12-5 margin in second-chance points. But Ateneo took better care of the ball, turning the ball over just 17 times to the Stags' 24, resulting in a 21-19 advantage in turnover points. The Eagles were 27-of-67 on field goals tonight (40 percent) against San Sebastian's 28-of-77 mark (36 percent). Ateneo attempted more shots from the line but at an average clip, making just 18-of-30 (60 percent). San Sebastian fared worse, making 10-of-19 from the stripe (53 percent). Perasol also added that he was happy his squad was already battling with the height disadvantage, and winning, saying, "I'm glad we're experiencing this because I think this is going to be the trend. But as long as we stay focused, stay positive and learn how to win, we're always going to be there." The former Powerade Tigers head coach in the PBA added that his team will continue to train at Las Vegas this summer and join tournaments in Kyoto and Toyko, Japan, to further prepare for the UAAP season. "I hope we can get some good experiences together and let my 'little big guys' get some extra training and confidence." Ravena led all scorers with 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Newsome contributed 16 points, six rebounds and four steals. Jon Rebollos led San Sebastian with 17 points, including 3-of-7 from three-point territory. Bradwyn Guinto tallied 15 points and 19 rebounds, while CJ Perez had 13 points and eight boards. Jovit Dela Cruz also notched 12 points and nine boards. - AMD, GMA News The scores: ADMU 75 - Ravena 19, Newsome 16, Tiongson 9, Pessumal 7, Golla 6, Murphy 5, Tolentino 4, Babilonia 4, Lim 4, Elorde 1, Asistio 0 SSCR 70 - Rebollos 17, Guinto 15, Perez 13, Dela Cruz 12, Balucanag 3, De Vera 2, Ortouste 2, Tano 2, Gusi 1, Magno 0, Trinidad 0, Aquino 0, Lee 0 Quarter-scoring: 17-14, 33-34, 53-48, 75-70