THE ATENEO Blue Eagles fell to the San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions, 65-88, in their 2026 U-Belt Collegiate Invitational Cup opener. The match took place earlier this morning, April 18, at the San Beda University RC Gym in the City ofManila.
Today’s game is the first meeting between the two teams since their semifinal thriller last year in the 2025 Asiabasket College Campus Tour.
Thirdy Ebdane led the Blue Eagles in scoring with 14 points while Andrew Bongo chipped in 13 markers to round out Ateneo’s double-digit scorers. For San Beda, John Lopez put up 17 points–15 of which came from beyond the arc–while Kai Efron and Lawrence Hawkins tallied 10 apiece.
With the Blue and White not fielding a traditional center for this battle, their paint presence was immediately tested by SBU’s Efron who went in for an easy layup, 0-2. On the other end, Femi Edu answered back after wrestling into the paint for the lay-in, 2-2. Bongo then knocked down two baskets from the three-point arc to open the advantage for the Blue Eagles, 8-2.
Failing to contain another Efron basket inside, the Blue Eagles responded with their third consecutive bucket from downtown courtesy of Ebdane, 11-4.
Despite Edu’s valiant effort of protecting the interior, the Katipunan-based university suffered an 8-2 run due to the lack of rim protection, 13-12. Ebdane then ended San Beda’s hot streak with an and-one conversion on the break, 16-12.
To conclude the first quarter, the Blue and White completely broke down on the inside with Bongo and Edu returning to the bench. The Blue Eagles allowed the Red Lions to mercilessly attack the paint which opened opportunities everywhere, losing them the advantage, 16-24. Mark Esperanza’s last-second heave from the key managed to soften the disadvantage heading into the next frame, 18-24.
Returning at the start of the second quarter, Bongo made his presence known by putting back a missed attempt from Matthew De Luna, 20-24. Both teams then engaged in a back-and-forth scoring affair that culminated in Lebron Nieto getting the and-one on a three-point marker, 27-30. After trimming the lead to three, Ateneo found themselves on the other end of another San Beda run, which was mitigated by Alden Cainglet and-one basket, 30-37.
Exchanging markers from deep, Ateneo managed to cut the deficit to three following Ebdane and Chris Urbina’s three-pointers, 36-39. Cainglet’s single free throw made and Ebdane’s breakaway layup tied the game for the Blue Eagles in the dying minutes of the half, 39-39. However, fatigue settled in for the Blue and White as SBU punched back with five consecutive points to finish the second quarter, 39-44.
Throughout the entire third period, Bongo was the lone Atenean to tally points with his triple at the eight-minute mark, 42-47. The Blue and White failed to score for the rest of the frame as San Beda went on a tear from outside, with John Lopez hitting back-to-back triples to force Coach Nico Salva to call for time, 42-59.
Having been outscored 3-27 in the entire quarter, Ateneo’s dismal period ended with two dunks from Hawkins and consecutive threes from Penny Estacio to cap off the third, 42-71.
With the game already out of reach, the Katipunan-based squad’s last-quarter push proved to be futile. Although Ateneo got off to a 16-5 run in the final period, 58-76, this fightback was not enough to contain San Beda, who continued to score at will off the shotmaking of Fil-Am Efron. With little time left on the clock, the Blue Eagles dropped their tournament debut to the defending National Collegiate Athletic Association champions in a 23-point blowout, 65-88.
The Blue and White will look to pick up their first victory of the tournament against the Centro Escolar University Scorpions tomorrow, April 19, at 1:00 PM in the same venue.
Moreover, the Blue Eagles return to action later this afternoon for their 2026 Asiabasket NSAC College Basketball Campus Tour campaign. The Blue and White will take on the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde Blazers at 4:00 PM, in the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Box Scores:
Ateneo (65): Ebdane – 14, Bongo – 13, Nieto – 9, Esperanza – 7, Urbina – 6, Edu – 4, Cainglet – 4, Asoro – 3, De Luna – 3, Castillejos – 2
SBU (88): Lopez – 17, Efron – 10, Hawkins – 10, Estacio – 9, Marcelo – 8, Lina – 7, Reyes – 7, Culdora – 7, Jalbuena – 5, Songcuya – 4, Wagan – 4
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-SBU: 18-24, 39-44, 42-71, 65-88
Group B Standings (W-L):
- SBU Red Lions (1-0)
- CEU Scorpions (1-0)
- EAC Generals (0-0)
- LCCM Blue Royals (0-0)
- NU Bulldogs (0-0)
- UPHSD Altas (0-0)
- AU Chiefs (0-1)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-1)
