Historic Triple-Overtime Defeat Dashes Ateneo’s Home Triumph
The Ateneo Blue Eagles endured a heart-wreaking, history-making night at the Loyola campus as they dropped an 89-98 decision to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers. The first round UAAP Season 88 matchup, held at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City on October 11, became the league’s first-ever triple-overtime result since the Final Four format was adopted in 1993. The dramatic bout left Ateneo mired at 4-2 and in third place, just as the midway stretch of the season loomed.
Early Tempo and a Flourish of Scoring by Ateneo
Ateneo surged out of the gates with an up-tempo, transition-heavy attack that mirrored UST’s style, seizing an early lead behind sharpshooting and relentless drives. Shawn Tuano opened with a fastbreak layup following a neat dish from team captain Jared Bahay, putting the Blue Eagles up 2-0. Kymani Ladi answered from the top of the key, extending the advantage to 8-2 as Ateneo kept the pressure on the Growling Tigers.
Tuano continued to impose himself inside the arc, weaving around defenders to push Ateneo ahead, 13-4. Dom Escobar also made his presence felt by attacking the rim, helping the Blue Eagles push the margin to double digits. The team capitalized on free-throw opportunities late in the opening frame, with Escobar and Ladi converting from the line as Ateneo finished the quarter up 28-20.
UST Strikes Back: A 13-0 Run and a Turnaround
The second quarter flipped the momentum as UST rode a 13-0 burst to seize a lead, fueled by timely baskets from Nic Cabañero at the charity stripe. Ateneo answered with resilience, as Jaden Lazo drilled a corner three to tie the game at 33-all, signaling a back-and-forth battle that would define the night.
Andrew Bongo powered a coast-to-coast layup to reclaim the lead for Ateneo, but the Growling Tigers, led by Cabañero and Padrigao, responded with the necessary push to take a slim edge into halftime at 37-33 in favor of UST.
Second Half: The Battle Intensifies
Out of the break, Ateneo sought to stabilize, with Adili and Ladi trading baskets against Akowe and Padrigao. A late surge saw Ateneo briefly hold the lead thanks to Lazo’s triple and a response by UST that kept the score tight. By the end of the third period, the game remained a razor-thin contest at 66-66, setting the stage for an unforgettable extra frame.
From One OT to Three: A Marathon Evening
The first overtime featured a flurry of triples, with Crisostomo and Bahay trading scores before Padrigao counters. A late putback by Crisostomo forced a 74-74 stalemate, sending the game into a second overtime. In the second OT, Cabañero’s three-pointer and precise free throws nudged UST ahead, yet Ateneo battled back as Bahay and Lazaro combined for timely baskets to briefly tilt the scales before the Tigers again pulled away.
The final three minutes of the second overtime saw Ateneo within a possession, but a decisive three-pointer from Cabañero began a late surge that extended into the third overtime. Akowe’s clutch plays for UST, paired with the Eagles’ fatigue, proved too much as the Growling Tigers pulled away late. An Akowe power move and a crucial floater pushed UST ahead 98-85, and despite a late Ladi push, Ateneo could not recover fully, bowing at 92-98 with the final score reading 89-98 after the third extra period.
What’s Next for Ateneo?
With the loss, Ateneo sits at 4-2 and looks to rebound as it closes its first-round schedule against National University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, October 18, at 2:00 PM. The Blue Eagles will aim to return to the win column with sharper execution and tighter defense as they chase a higher seed in the UAAP Season 88 standings.
Box Score Highlights
Ateneo (89): Bahay 17, Ladi 14, Escobar 13, Tuano 12, Adili 10, Espinosa 9, Lazo 8, Lazaro 4, Bongo 2, Espina 0, Fjellvang 0.
UST (98): Cabañero 22, Padrigao 20, Akowe 20, Crisostomo 18, Llemit 7, Paranada 5, Acido 4, Buenaflor 2, Calum 0, Estacio 0, Danting 0, Laure 0.
Standings Snapshot
Current Standings (W-L): Ateneo 4-2, UST 3-3 (example placeholder; update with official standings after game).
