National University dealt Ateneo de Manila University an early setback in its title retention bid, winning 77-64 in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament’s opening day at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
This marked the Blue Eagles’ first opening day loss since September 9, 2018, when they were defeated 70-74 by Adamson University.
This 13-point defeat was also only Ateneo’s third double-digit loss during the Tab Baldwin era. The first two occurred in Season 79: a 70-60 loss to NU on September 11, 2016, and a 97-81 loss to De La Salle University on October 2, 2016.
The Bulldogs, who had also defeated the Blue Eagles in the previous season, initially struggled, missing their first 10 attempts from beyond the arc. However, they found their rhythm in the second half, making six of their next nine shots to seize control of the game.
The Bulldogs had a blazing start in the fourth quarter, scoring the first 10 points, with Jolo Manansala and Patrick Yu converting back-to-back treys before Mike Malonzo added a layup to extend their lead to 18 points with 6:49 left in the game, making the score 65-47.
“Siguro nakachamba kami against a stronger team. We now shift our focus to FEU. Itong panalong ito wala namang silbi ito… it’s just a win,” said NU Head Coach Jeff Napa.
Yu led the balanced offensive charge of the Bulldogs with 12 points, while Steve Nash Enriquez contributed 10 points as well.
Eight more NU players scored at least four points in the game, with Kenshin Padrones getting nine, Manansala and PJ Palacielo both scoring eight, and Omar John and Jake Figueroa tallying seven apiece.
Up next for NU will be Far Eastern University in a quadruple-header on Wednesday at the same Pasay venue at 12 p.m.
“We will continue to push ourselves to the limit to deliver a strong performance,” Napa added.
Gab Gomez and Sean Quitevis each scored 12 points for Ateneo, which will face arch-rival De La Salle University next on Wednesday at 6 p.m. as well.
Ian Espinosa also contributed 10 points for the Blue Eagles, while highly-touted rookie Mason Amos was held to just two points on 1-of-4 shooting from the field in his 17 minutes on the floor.
Joseph Obasa, Ateneo one-and-done big man who replaced Ange Kouame, was also limited to just two points. Kai Ballungay missed all six of his field goal attempts, producing just four points from the free-throw line.
The Scores:
NU 77 – Yu 12, Enriquez 10, Padrones 9, Manansala 8, Palacielo 8, John 7, Figueroa 7, Malonzo 6, Lim 6, Baclaan 4, Jumamoy 0, Casinillo 0, Delos Reyes 0, Galinato 0, Gulapa 0, Parks 0.
Ateneo 64 – Gomez 12, Quitevis 12, Espinosa 10, Lazaro 6, Bongo 5, Credo 4, Koon 4, Ballungay 4, Brown 3, Obasa 2, Amos 2, Chiu 0, Nieto 0, Celos 0.
Quarterscores: 23-15, 36-32, 55-47, 77-64.
In the opener, University of the East had a dream start as the host school of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament, securing a wire-to-wire 80-70 victory over University of Santo Tomas on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Coming off a sixth-place finish (5-9) last season, Red Warriors’ head coach Jack Santiago had to retool his lineup in preparation for this season.
It was UE’s first opening day win since blasting University of the Philippines, 87-59, on July 12, 2014.
“I’m so happy with the outcome of the game,” said Santiago, who is in his third year as UE head coach. “At least, our boys responded very well. Actually, we didn’t scout UST because, as you know, they kept their team hidden for the past 10 months.”
Boosted by their school’s opening ceremony, the Red Warriors raced to an 8-0 start, but the Growling Tigers found their footing and managed to tie the game at 22. UE, on the other hand, responded with another run for a 46-34 lead at the half.
However, the Red Warriors saw their once 19-point cushion get trimmed to as low as 75-67 thanks to Mark Llemit’s three-point play with 2:03 to go in the game. Jack Cruz-Dumont converted a three with 1:10 left to give UE a 78-67 edge.
Nic Cabañero fouled out with a minute remaining in the game, but Migs Pangilinan gave the Growling Tigers hope with a three. Cruz-Dumont then sealed the game for the Red Warriors with two free throws, condemning UST to its 14th consecutive loss from last season.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanila, knowing coach Pido (Jarencio), he’s a winning coach and a veteran coach also, they will come out strong and they will give us a lot of surprises. So, they made the run (and) I just told the boys not to give up, and they responded well,” continued Santiago.
Rey Remogat led the Red Warriors with 21 points, 10 assists, and three steals, followed by Precious Momowei’s 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Cruz-Dumont had 16 points and seven rebounds, and Abdul Sawat contributed 15 points for UE, which will face a tough challenge in their next game against University of the Philippines on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., still at the same Pasay venue.
UE relied on a strong defensive effort, forcing UST to commit 20 turnovers that resulted in 21 points. The Red Warriors also outperformed the Growling Tigers from the perimeter, scoring 34 points compared to the Growling Tigers’ 14 points.
Cabañero led the Growling Tigers with 18 points and eight rebounds. Christian Manaytay followed suit with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Pangilinan added 10 points for UST.
UST will face Adamson University next at 2 p.m, also on Wednesday.
The Scores:
UE (80) — Remogat 21, Momowel 17, Cruz-Dumont 16, Sawat 15, Wilson 6, Lingolingo 3, Alcantara 2, Galang 0, Tulabut 0, Maglupay 0, Gilbuena 0, Fikes 0, Langit 0.
UST (70) — Cabañero 18, Manaytay 15, Pangilinan 10, Calum 9, Laure 7, Llemit 3, Gesalem 3, Manalang 2, Crisostomo 2, Faye 1, Duremdes 0, Lazarte 0, Moore 0, Ventulan 0, Magdangal 0.
Quarterscores: 22-21, 46-34, 64-48, 80-70.
