MANILA, Philippines – Five-time defending champion Ateneo sent a statement to the rest of the league after beating the FEU Tamaraws, 92-73, in their second-round match-up of the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball tournament. Juami Tiongson fired a career-high 20 points, Kiefer Ravena added 18 points and nine rebounds, and Chris Newsome had a double-double of 11 points for the Blue Eagles. Ateneo led by as much as 33 points to cruise to their fifth consecutive victory. With the victory, Ateneo tied rivals La Salle for third place with identical 6-4 records. The Tamaraws, meanwhile, have now lost three of their last four contests after sweeping the first round of the tournament. In the second game, the UST Growling Tigers revived their Final Four hopes after beating the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 80-67. The Tigers snapped a three-game losing streak to hike their record to 5-5 and remain within striking distance of the top teams in the league. Karim Abdul top-scored for the Tigers with 19 points to go along with 12 rebounds and four blocks. Adamson has now lost its sixth consecutive game, and the Falcons’ hopes of making the Final Four are flagging as they now have a 3-8 record. -- Mornings @ ANC, August 29, 2013
