DESPITE THE threat of multiple runs by University of Santo Tomas (UST), the Blue Eagles never let the Growling Tigers take the lead in the game, running away with an 80-74 victory on Wednesday, October 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Forward Arvin Tolentino played the role of super sub, as he shot his way to 20 points on 7/10 shooting, including 3/5 from beyond the arc.

“What a way for Arvin to get out of his slump,” Blue Eagles Head Coach Bo Perasol said. “He knows–and I can see in his eyes–that he was really confident earlier on with making those shots.”

Tolentino was supported by the shooting of swingman Von Pessumal, who finished with 16 points, and the all-around play of Ravena, who finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

“I think this was a character building win for us,” Pessumal said. “I just want to commend Coach Bo [Perasol], especially because during the timeout, he would always remind everybody to stay composed, to keep our discipline and to have direction in what we do.”

Ateneo traded points with their opponent early on in the game, with the score at 8-5 during the first timeout of the game made by UST. However, the insertion of Tolentino–along with guards Aaron Black and Adrian Wong–shifted the momentum of the game towards the Blue Eagles, as the trio provided an offense that sparked the Ateneo to finish the first quarter strong with a 21-12 lead.

The Growling Tigers continued to lurk behind the Katipunan-based squad in the second quarter, making sure the Ateneo’s lead never went out of reach. However, a Pessumal buzzer-beating three pointer at the end of the half made sure that the Blue and White kept its advantage heading into the second half.

Both teams continued to trade baskets in the third. A Kent Lao three pointer to open the quarter was answered with a 5-0 Ateneo run that forced UST to call timeout, as Ateneo’s lead grew to 16 points. However, the Growling Tigers’ pressure defense brought the lead down to eight as the game headed into the final period.

Tolentino continued his sweet shooting, scoring the Ateneo’s next 11 points in the final quarter, which included three 3-pointers and a breakaway layup off a bounce pass from point guard Matt Nieto.

This win puts the Blue Eagles at 6-4 in the elimination round standings of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 78 Men’s Basketball tournament.

Their next game will be against National University at 2:00PM, Sunday, October 25 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.