(Photo by Andrew Pamorada. )

After two years of absence from the varsity ranks, LA Revilla shows that he knows how to bounce back. (click here for more images)

The former San Beda Red Cub tallied a total of 12 points and 6 rebounds, as De La Salle University brings down Ateneo de Manila University with a 66-61 win in the final elimination round game of the 2011 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan City.

Despite the green and white maintaining a lead that grew to as much as 12 points through late in the second period, Ateneo kept pushing and kept the game close after every quarter with late comebacks to keep the Green Archers on the ropes.

Within the first minute of the fourth period, Justin Chua’s two foul shots finally gave the Blue Eagles their first taste of the lead since early in the first period. To make matters worse for La Salle, Norbert Torres dislocated his left elbow via Frank Golla’s antics in the box out play of Chua’s second foul shot. Torres will miss up to two weeks of action.

Then Revilla shot the lights out with six of the eight points in a five minute dry spell by Ateneo. His former San Beda teammate and reported best friend, Nico Salva, would counter his scoring streak by scoring four straight within the two minute warning to knot the game at 61-all.

But the prolific De La Salle guard finished off the three-time defending UAAP men’s basketball champions with a four point retalliation, one which Ateneo couldn’t reply.

Joseph Marata scored all of his 10 points in the game during the first half, while Luigi Dela Paz and Simon Atkins round out the leading scorers with 9 and 8 apiece.

Nico Salva finished with 18 points and 7 rebounds, while Kiefer Ravena added 10 points and 6 assists to his name in the loss. Greg Slaughter, who was hampered most of the ball game due to foul trouble and by the tenacious defense of De La Salle’s big men, only managed to score two points in 12 minutes of play.

Meanwhile, San Beda College ousted University of Santo Tomas in a 85-72 rout. Garvo Lanete and Ola Adeogun both finished with 12 points to lead the Red Lions’ rampage.

Jose Rizal University edged Adamson University, 84-81, in the day’s curtain raiser. Nate Matute led the Bombers with 26 points on 7-for-13 (54 percent) shooting from three-point territory, while John Lopez marked 19 points to his name.

With the single round eliminations over, San Beda College and Far Eastern University top their respective groups. Rounding out the Group A cast are Ateneo de Manila, San Sebastian, and De La Salle University. Adamson, Mapua, and University of the Philippines complete the quarterfinals cast in Group B.

Games tomorrow
Monday, June 6 – Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan
Juniors Playoffs
9:00am – National U vs. Energen Pilipinas-U16
Seniors Quarterfinals
11:00am – Ateneo (A2) vs. Mapua (B3)
2:00pm – San Beda (A1) vs. State U (B4)
4:00pm – Far Eastern (B1) vs. De La Salle (A4)
6:00pm –  Adamson (B2) vs. San Sebastian (A3)