THE ATENEO Blue Eagles overcame their midseason slump after defeating the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 78-74. In the process, the Blue and White also ended the latter’s postseason aspirations. This University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 bout took place earlier today, November 5, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the City of Pasay.
Following this victory, the Blue Eagles draw their record even at 5-5, tied for fifth place with the Adamson University Soaring Falcons. Moreover, with their fifth victory, Ateneo surpassed its total win count from last season.
Team Captain Kymani Ladi was named Player of the Game for the third time this season, tallying 16 points and nine rebounds. Supplementing the one-and-done recruit was Divine Adili, who grabbed a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds—marking his first game back since the October 11 contest against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
Both teams came out eager to push the pace at the onset of the first quarter, trading turnovers and running the fastbreak en route to a 4-3 advantage in favor of Ateneo. From there, the Blue Eagles began to hit their stride with an Espinosa three and a Ladi jumper, 9-5. However, another turnover by Ateneo permitted a DJ Robles layup on the other end, tying the game at 9-all.
As the offensive slugfest continued, Adili announced his return with a three-point play, 16-15. Despite the center’s presence, Ateneo struggled in containing Precious Momowei as the UE big man scored several baskets in the paint, building a three-point cushion at the end of the period, 21-18.
Picking up where they left off, both squads continued to trade baskets in the second frame. Ateneo was the first to get going via an Adili slam and Waki Espina trey, 23-21. Countering with their own 5-0 run, the Recto-based unit regained the lead following a Jadden Datumalim three and Momowei layup, 24-26.
Despite Kymani Ladi connecting from long-distance, 27-26, the Blue and White immediately relinquished momentum as UE’s John Abate and Wello Lingolingo started to catch fire, 32-35. Shawn Tuano then responded with a three-point play, followed by an Andrew Bongo triple, 38-36. In a back-and-forth affair, however, the Blue Eagles surrendered another 4-1 stretch to the Red Warriors, entering the halftime break at a deficit, 39-40.
Commencing the second half, Ateneo got the ball rolling with two free throws from Tuano and a corner jumper by Escobar, building a three-point advantage, 43-40. However, the Blue Eagles struggled to contain the charging Red Warriors, who fired back with a three from Lingolingo and an open lane drive from Dylan Despi to reclaim the lead, 43-45.
Despite initial pushback with an inside-the-paint shot from Ladi, Abate then responded with a quick three to increase the opposition’s advantage, 45-48. Nearing the six-minute mark, Ateneo was left searching for answers as UE’s Momowei generated eight straight points, 52-56. Coupled with back-to-back threes from Lingolingo and Datumalim, Ateneo’s deficit then increased to double digits with a minute left in the third, 52-63. Eventually finding their rhythm, the Blue Eagles then managed to gradually trim the lead, highlighted by a left wing three-point basket from Ladi, 57-64.
With the Blue Eagles continuing to trail the Red Warriors into the final frame, Adili provided a dominant early spark with three consecutive baskets inside, 64-67. Continuing their charge, Ateneo ultimately regained the lead in a play where Lazo saved the possession by throwing the ball back from the baseline, finding an open Adili inside, 72-71. The lead change was short-lived, however, as an and-one from Abate over Adili quickly placed the Red Warriors back in the driver’s seat, 72-74. Taking initiative, the Blue Eagles found their way to the free-throw line on two occasions to once again take the lead, 75-74.
Maintaining a few points cushion, Ateneo then executed a strong defensive stop, forcing UE to foul and bring the Blue Eagles to the charity stripe. Following trips to the free throw line from Adili and Espinosa, the game then turned into a two-possession outing, 78-74. Despite one last heave from the Red Warriors, the Blue Eagles ultimately came out on top to claim their fifth win of the season.
Looking to capitalize on their newfound momentum and regain their Final Four status, the Blue Eagles will face their archrivals, the De La Salle University Green Archers, on Sunday, November 9, 4:30 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Box scores:
Ateneo (78): Ladi – 16, Adili – 15, Espinosa – 13, Escobar – 11, Tuano – 9, Espina – 7, Lazaro – 4, Bongo – 3
UE (74): Momowei – 19, Lingolingo – 19, Abate – 18, Despi – 8, Datumalim – 6, Robles – 2, Cruz-Dumont – 2
Quarter scores:
Ateneo-UE: 18-21, 39-40, 57-64, 78-74
Current Standings (W-L):
- NU Bulldogs (8-2)
- UP Fighting Maroons (6-3)
- DLSU Green Archers (6-4)
- UST Growling Tigers (5-4)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (5-5)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (5-5)
- FEU Tamaraws (4-6)
- UE Red Warriors (0-10)
