Overview: A Classic UAAP Rivalry Delivers Drama
The UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball clash between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the La Salle Green Archers delivered the kind of drama that fans crave. On a packed Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena, Ateneo withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally from La Salle to protect its undefeated start, prevailing 81-74. The win kept the Blue Eagles solo at the top of the standings and extended their early-season mastery over their archrival.
First Half: Dom Escobar and J раs
Ateneo surged ahead early thanks to a balanced attack led by Dom Escobar, who poured in 15 points in the first half. The one-and-done guard’s efficiency helped build a comfortable lead as the Blue Eagles outplayed La Salle in transition and on the glass. Josh Lazaro contributed a second-quarter burst that helped stretch the cushion, and by halftime Ateneo had a convincing 36-19 advantage, signaling a message to the entire league that this was not going to be a mere clash of familiar foes but a showcase of depth and discipline.
Second Half: Pressure, Pace, and a Teetering Lead
In the third period, Kymani Ladi took center stage for Ateneo, scoring 10 of his 15 points and throwing down a couple of highlight dunks as the Blue Eagles pushed the lead to its biggest margin at 68-35. It looked like Ateneo was cruising toward a statement win, but La Salle would not fold. The Archers unleashed a 22-0 run to close the gap, trimming the deficit to single digits and setting up a tense finish that could only be settled by late-game execution and free throws.
Clutch Moments: Late Pressure and Free Throws Seal the Win
With the score at 68-57 in the fourth, La Salle kept pressing, and the crowd roared as Vhoris Marasigan’s free throw cut it to 11 with 3:54 remaining. The Archers managed to close the gap to five points late, at 72-77 with 24 seconds left, but Ateneo steadied the ship. Guard-forward duo Andrew Bongo and Shawn Tuano combined to go 4-for-4 from the line in the closing moments, finishing off the game and ensuring the win stayed with the Blue Eagles. Tuano finished with 15 points, delivering in a near-perfect shooting night that included a strong fourth quarter to slam the door on La Salle’s rally.
Individual Standouts and Team Depth
Escobar and Ladi each contributed 15 points for Ateneo, complemented by nine rebounds apiece, underscoring the team’s well-rounded approach. Tuano added 15 points on efficient 4-of-5 shooting, with nine of those in the fourth period. The balanced production highlighted Ateneo’s depth, a key factor in maintaining poise during a high-stakes rivalry game.
La Salle was led by Mike Phillips with 17 points and an impressive 20 rebounds, while Kean Baclaan returned from injury with 13 points. Jacob Cortez added 10 markers as the Archers fought back from a challenging first half to mount a credible late challenge. The result left La Salle at 2-2 and Ateneo at 4-0, keeping the season’s early narrative firmly in Ateneo’s favor.
Coach Commentary: Holding Firm Through the Storm
Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin praised the team’s three quarters of solid basketball while acknowledging the fourth-quarter lapse, saying, “We’ll talk about that the way we played in the three quarters is just about as good as an Ateneo team has played for me… and then in the fourth quarter, we played about as badly as an Ateneo team has played for me. Fortunately, it was only one quarter.” His message to the locker room centered on consistency, a recurring theme as the Blue Eagles navigate a demanding season schedule.
Looking Ahead
The win cements Ateneo’s place atop the UAAP Season 88 standings and reaffirms the program’s resilience in facing its oldest rival. For La Salle, the scare could be a catalyst, proving they can challenge the league’s elite on any given night. Both teams will now shift focus to their upcoming matchups as the race for the season’s second round title heats up.
