At A Glance
- Ateneo recovered just in time and essayed a come-from-behind 78-74 win over University of the East to break its five-game slide in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, Nov. 5.
Kymani Ladi and Ateneo finally get back on the winning track with an escape win over the feisty UE. (UAAP Media)
Ateneo recovered just in time and essayed a come-from-behind 78-74 win over University of the East to break its five-game slide in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, Nov. 5.
Trailing by 11, 52-63, in the third quarter, the Blue Eagles turned to their defense and outscored the Red Warriors in the payoff period, with Divine Adili leading the surge and sinking a crucial free throw to give themselves a 75-74 lead with one minute and 20 seconds left.
UE had its chance to recover but committed a costly turnover just as the returning Lingolingo failed to convert plenty of opportunities to steal the game.
With their hard-earned victory, the Eagles kept their semifinal bid alive as they improved to 5-5 at sixth, while the Warriors absorbed their 10th consecutive loss and bowed out of contention for Final Four this season.
It was also a sweep win by Ateneo as it previously bested UE via a 62-60 escape in their first-round encounter last Sept. 24 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
Gilas Pilipinas recruit Kymani Ladi shone for the Tab Baldwin-mentored crew with 16 points on top of nine rebounds and one assist, while Adili impressed with a double-double outing of 15 points and 13 rebounds.
He also posted two assists, one block and two steals in almost 25 minutes of play. Espinosa and Dom Escobar chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Shawn Tuano added nine.
Precious Momowei steered UE anew with 19 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, one steal and two blocks, while Lingolingo tallied 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, and one block in his return after serving a three-game suspension.
The scores:
Ateneo (78) – Ladi 16, Adili 15, Espinosa 13, Escobar 11, Tuano 9, Espina 7, Lazaro 4, Bongo 3, Bahay 0, Lazo 0, Fjellvang 0.
UE (74) – Momowei 19, Lingolingo 19, Abate 18, Despi 8, Datumalim 6, Robles 2, Cruz-Dumont 2, Caoile 0, Lagat 0, Malaga 0.
Quarterscores: 18-21, 39-40, 57-64, 78-74