ATENEO extended its strong start in the UAAP Season 88 boys’ basketball tournament, cruising past NU-Nazareth School, 86-63, to remain unbeaten at 4-0 on Thursday afternoon at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Nigerian center Jude Eriobu spearheaded the Blue Eagles’ strong showing with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, 14 rebounds, five blocks, and one steal, while second-year fellow big Jay-M Leal added 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one block.
With contributions across the roster, Ateneo—fresh off wins against other contenders like University of the East and the Far Eastern University-Diliman—continued to hold sole possession of first-place at 4-0.
Under new head coach Bacon Austria, the Blue Eagles are enjoying their finest start since Season 80 (2018), as the Bullpups to a tie with De La Salle Zobel at 2-2.
“We’re happy, pero we’re not contented. Long season pa ito; 4-0 does not guarantee or mean anything. Masaya kami, pero marami pa kami kailangan ayusin,” Austria said.
“I just make sure that when we do those things, everyone is focused, and whoever I put in the court, should be ready. Kagaya today, Q Molina was sick, so Renzo Gatmaitan took the challenge of playing point sa second group, while EK Kaw stepped in as the two-guard. Everyone is just ready,” he added.
Ateneo opened the game strong with a 25-15 first quarter and relied on Eriobu’s inside presence, two Henry Madrangca triples, and a Leal alley-oop to take a 46-29 lead into halftime.
NUNS briefly trimmed the gap to 49-36 early in the third, but Leal erupted for 10 points in a 15-4 Blue Eagles run that pushed the lead to 64-40. Ateneo then put the game away with an and-one layup from YJ Lacsamana, a Noah Banal triple, and an Eriobu dunk, maintaining a 76-53 advantage with under five minutes left.
Banal finished with 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting, six assists, two rebounds, and one steal, as Gatmaitan added 11 points and two rebounds. Madrangca contributed nine points and three rebounds, and Kallos recorded two points on 1-of-4 shooting, but tallied 10 assists, seven rebounds, and one steal.
Shaun Lucido led the Bullpups with 18 points, three assists, and two steals, while Chad Cartel added 13 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Moussa Diakite chipped in 10 points, 18 rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and one assist, and Mot Matias finished with five points, six assists, and six steals in their second straight defeat.
FEU-D, Adamson triumph, as well
FEU-Diliman then relied on a balanced attack to top the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 93-75, and claim solo second.
Marc Burgos led the Baby Tamaraws with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, adding four rebounds and two assists, while Gilas Pilipinas Boys standout Prince Cariño contributed 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting with two rebounds and one assist off the bench to help the Baby Tamaraws to their third win in four outings.
FEU-D shot efficiently at 39-of-77 (50.6-percent), dominated the boards, 46-30, and dished out 28 assists. Pat Sohm added 10 points, one rebound, one assist, and one steal, while Season 87 Elite Team member Cabs Cabonilas posted eight points, seven assists, four steals, two blocks, and one rebound.
In a separate thriller, 16-year-old center Kieff Iledan shone down the stretch, sinking two consecutive layups, including the game-winner, to lift Adamson to a stunning 68-67 win over University of the East.
Jarl Artango paced the Baby Falconswith 14 points, six rebounds, four steals, and three assists, while Mac Jenodia added 12 points and four rebounds. Bill Garcia nearly tallied a double-double with 12 points, eight boards, and five blocks, as Iledan finished with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
For the Jr. Warriors, Aguas showed the way with 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block, followed by Jamal Diaz with 12 points, four steals, one rebound, and one assist.
For the Jr. Maroons, Bruce Tubongbanua did the heavy lifting with 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Jhustin Hallare added 22 points, four assists, three rebounds, and one steal.
The Scores:
Second Game:
ATENEO 86 - Eriobu 21, Banal 15, Leal 15, Gatmaitan 11, Madrangca 9, Kaw 4, Lacsamana 4, Kallos 2, Espinas 2, Jazul 2, Juangco 1, Aquino 0.
NUNS 63 - Lucido 18, Cartel 13, Diakite 10, M. Matias 5, Cabantog 5, Bouzina 5, Tulabut 3, Juan 2, Figueroa 2, R. Matias 0, Celiz 0, Natinga 0, Timbang 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 46-29, 64-43, 86-63.
Third Game:
FEU-D 93 - Burgos 16, Carino 13, Sohm 10, Cabonilas 8, Hall 7, Godoy 6, D. Santos 6, Gaye 6, Enriquez 5, Esperanza 4, Dulin 4, Dagcutan 4, J. Santos 2, Alagaban 2, Raneses 0.
UPIS 75 - Tubongbanua 25, Hallare 22, Lugatiman 13, Poquiz 12, M. Rosete 3, Pascual 0, Hernandez 0, Labao 0, Addatu 0, Ryan 0, J. Rosete 0, Manguerra 0, Cobico 0.
Quarters: 16-18, 50-40, 76-59, 93-75.
Fourth Game:
ADAMSON 68 - Artango 14, Jenodia 12, Garcia 12, Iledan 10, Gomez 9, Saygo 5, Bautista 4, Flores 2, Frogoso 0, Fongtong 0, Babad 0.
UE 67 - Aguas 13, Diaz 12, Pascual 10, Braga 6, Timbol 5, Lorenzo 4, Edoukou 4, Delos Reyes 4, Orca 3, Abellar 3, Roquid 2, Bual 1.
Quarters: 13-15, 34-31, 48-49, 68-67.
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