The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles are off to a hot start after edging out the University of the East Red Warriors, 62-60, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, September 24, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The Red Warriors were leading 60-58 after a three-point jump shot by Welo Lingolingo. A few seconds later, Ateneo’s Kymani Ladi answered back with a three-pointer of his own with an assist from Jared Bahay to take back the lead, 61-60.

Dom Escober made a free throw as the game ended in favor of the Blue Eagles, 62-60.

“We had a pretty stable first half… But then our shooting really abandoned us in the second half. We got good looks, but we just didn’t hit shots. At the end of the day, it was defensive rebounding that won the game. We had some critical stops in critical moments, and different guys stepped up,” Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin said after the game.

Ladi once again led the team with a double-double performance of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Joaquin Espina contributed 17 points. Bahay finished the game with eight points, six rebounds, and four assists.

For the Red Warriors, Lingolingo scored a game-high 19 points with seven rebounds, while John Abate added 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.

In the second game, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons shocked defending champions University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 62-59, to finally get in the winning column. Unfortunately, the Fighting Maroons were off to a 0-2 record.

Tied at 59-all with seven seconds remaining, Ray Allen Torres went back on the court and made a three-pointer to seal the game for the Soaring Falcons, 62-59.

“During halftime, that’s when we told the players – we have to grind this game out, that was really expected. From start to finish dikdikan. I don’t really know what to say about the officiating. Gulong-gulo kami kanina. We wanted to adjust to the referees, but medyo naguguluhan kami. Buti na lang ‘yung players were able to deliver,” said Soaring Falcons head coach Nash Racela.

Anthony Fransman and Torres both scored 10 points apiece for the Soaring Falcons.

For the Fighting Maroons, Gerry Abadiano had 15 points, while Harold Alarcon finished the game with 12 points and six rebounds. Jalen Stevens contributed 10 points and four rebounds.

Here are other things you might have missed in the September 24 games of UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

101

After three seasons, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles are off to a hot 2-0 record. The last time they won their first two games in the UAAP was way back in Season 85 when they went on to win the championship.

The victory against the University of the East Red Warriors is also notable for Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin, who recorded his 101st win in the UAAP, becoming the fourth coach to achieve the mark after Ateneo’s Norman Black, La Salle’s Franz Pumaren, and UST’s Aric del Rosario.

“It’s a pretty good start getting to 200, I’m 1-0. I don’t win any games. Ateneo has won 100 games where I’m labeled as the head coach. The truth is, this is a team game, and the coach just plays a role. Basketball is about the players, and it should always be about the players,” coach Tab said.

Coach Tab is expected to coach the Blue Eagles until Season 91 as he signed a three-year contract extension before the start of Season 88.

2-0

In Ateneo’s two wins in the season so far, it was one usual player delivering the win – Kymani Ladi.

In their first game against the Far Eastern University, Ladi scored five of the team’s last six points that sealed their opening-day win, 86-83. Against the Red Warriors, Ladi also delivered a crucial three-point shot that sealed the deal for the team once again.

“I’m not necessarily content with my performances. I can never really be too content,” he shared after their latest victory. “I just want to make sure our team is progressing with each game. Sometimes we’re really solid on defense, sometimes not – but that’s the joy of basketball. You just keep working on it.”

4

Based on official play-by-play records, it only took four seconds for Ray Allen Torres to score the game-winner three-point shot when he was subbed back in with seven seconds remaining in the game.

After recording their victory, Torres explained the game that coach Nash Racela designed. He revealed, “‘Yung last play kasi sabi dalhin lang ni Matty [Erolon] ‘yung bola sa gitna and then last five seconds ibigay sa akin. Nung nasa akin na ‘yung bola, block out na lahat, tinanggal ko lahat ng emotions ko, nag-focus lang ako sa tira ko.”

In a separate interview, Torres said that his love for basketball remained in his DNA despite not playing in the UAAP for two seasons.

He said, ‘Big factor ‘yun kasi parang nasa DNA ko na ‘yun, e. Kahit anong mangyari, kahit three years or five years na nakalipas, nasa akin pa rin ‘yun. Kumpyansa pa rin ako kasi alam kong kaya ko.”