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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Clutch Ladi steps up as Eagles escape Warriors for 2-0 record

Clutch Ladi steps up as Eagles escape Warriors for 2-0 record

Published Sep 24, 2025 05:15 pm

At A Glance

  • Kymani Ladi came up big in the clutch and helped Ateneo carve out a narrow 62-60 win over University of the East to notch their second straight victory in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Kymani Ladi displays nerves of steel in Ateneo's second win in UAAP Season 88. (UAAP Media)
Kymani Ladi displays nerves of steel in Ateneo's second win in UAAP Season 88. (UAAP Media)
Kymani Ladi came up big in the clutch and helped Ateneo carve out a narrow 62-60 win over University of the East to notch their second straight victory in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Continuing to live up to his hefty billing, Ladi stayed cool under pressure and drilled a crucial triple off a Jared Bahay pass to give the Blue Eagles the crucial 61-60 lead with 22.7 seconds left in the game.
UE attempted to steal the game in the final seconds, but Dominic Escobar -- who finished with seven points -- emerged as the defensive hero, stripping the ball from Nico Mulingtapang to seal Ateneo’s second straight win despite missing two free throws moments after.
Ladi, one of Ateneo’s one-and-done players, registered his first double-double performance with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Bahay added a decent eight points on top of six boards, four assists, and one steal.
“I think it’s just the confidence that my teammates gave to me, and it played a huge role,” said Ladi. “Expect me to do my best, I’m not taking this [player of the game honor] as long as we win the game, that's what matters to me.”
Waki Espina also impressed for Ateneo from beyond the arc, hitting four three-pointers on his way to 17 points, along with one rebound, two assists and one steal.
Wello Lingongo and John Abate anchored UE’s offense by posting 19 and 11 points, respectively, by their efforts went futile. Mulingtapang and Precious Momowei had nine points apiece as the Warriors absorbed their second straight loss in as many games.
Ateneo got off to a strong start by building a 35-24 lead by halftime. But UE clawed back into game sparked by Lingolingo’s 7-0 run that tied the contest at 45-all.
That momentum came after Momowei threw down a poster dunk over Ladi -- a highlight play that helped send the team to another deadlock at 47-all into the final quarter.
A booming trey from Bahay gave Ateneo a 58-55 lead with under two minutes left, but his heroics were short-lived as Drew Jimenez and Linglingo answered back to reclaim the lead for UE.
Then it was time for Ladi to rescue the Blue Eagles with a clutch trey.
The scores:
Ateneo (62) – Ladi 17, Espina 17, Bahay 8, Escobar 7, Lazaro 3, Gamber 3, Bongo 2, Adili 2, Espinosa 1, Lazo 1, Tuano 0, Ong 0.
UE (60) – Lingolingo 19, Abate 11, Mulingtapang 9, Momowei 9, Jimenez 6, Caoile 4, Malaga 2, Robles 0, Tañedo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-14, 35-24, 47-47, 62-60
 

Related Tags

Kymani Ladi Jared Bahay Ateneo Blue Eagles UAAP Season 88
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