MANILA – The defending champion Ateneo Blue Eaglets leaned on Kiefer Ravena to score an 80-73 win against bitter rival De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers in Game One of the 72nd UAAP juniors basketball Finals on Saturday.

Ravena, son of former PBA Rookie of the Year Bong Ravena, poured 15 of his game-high 33 points in the crucial payoff period to carry the Eaglets past the Junior Archers at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Using a stifling defense, Ateneo dropped a 9-0 bomb midway the third canto to pull away from a 43-deadlock. The Junior Archers trailed the rest of the way.

The Junior Archers were able to cut an 11-point deficit in a fourth quarter chase. They came dangerously close on Nico Elorde’s basket, 73-76, under the final minute.

But Ravena made two split free throws while Chuky Dumrique iced the scoring with a fastbreak layup with time winding down.

Ravena scored eight of Ateneo’s last 12 points that finished the Junior Archers.

“Kiefer (Ravena) could not have done it alone. This is not Kiefer’s team. This is the Ateneo team. His teammates set him up, looked for him to score,” Eaglets coach Jamike Jarin said.

Jarin also guaranteed that it will be Raphael Banal’s turn to explode in Game Two.

Banal, the son of former Blue Eagles’ coach Joel, scored only six points, shooting a poor 2-for-9 from the field.

“Better watch out for (Raphael) Banal in Game Two. I guarantee you,” Jarin said.

Game One belonged to Ravena, who outplayed his smaller but pesky defender Elorde, the grandson of boxing great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.

Aside from scoring 33 points, Ravena also registered 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 4 blocks.

Elorde was seen visibly upset after the game.

“Good friend ko si Nico (Elorde). Pero pagdating sa game, iba na. Siya rin ang bantay ko two years ago (when DLSZ won the championship against us). So this is like a revenge win for us,” Ravena said.

Ravena hopes to complete their revenge against the Junior Archers on Tuesday also in the same venue. By Alder T. Almo

The Scores:

ADMU 80 – Ravena 33, Bugarin 10, Sinco 8, Pessumal 8, Dumrique 6, Banal 6, Reyes 5, Pe 4, Unson 0, Tenorio 0, Romero 0, Erazo 0, Daez 0, Tim Capacio 0, Armena 0, Alonte 0.

DSLZ 73 – Elorde 18, Gwyne Capacio 15, Van Opstal 12, Fortuna 12, Dela Paz 12, Sevilla 2, Roxas 2, Park 0, Herrera 0.

Quarters: 23-19, 38-38, 56-49, 80-73.