Hectic rivalry meets high-stakes start
The UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball battle between Ateneo and La Salle lived up to its billing as one of the league’s marquee clashes, featuring a dramatic late surge from the Green Archers that threatened to derail the undefeated Blue Eagles. In a packed Mall of Asia Arena, Ateneo held on for an 81-74 victory, sustaining its perfect start and preserving a firm grip on solo first place at 4-0.
Blazing start cushions the lead
Ateneo’s offense clicked early, building a comfortable cushion as Dom Escobar and Kymani Ladi sparked the attack. Escobar poured in 15 points, while Ladi also logged 15, helping the Blue Eagles stretch a slim 14-11 edge after one period into a 36-19 halftime advantage. The early momentum was reinforced by a second-quarter burst from Josh Lazaro, whose energetic play helped turn a close game into a commanding lead.
Second-half surge and late resistance
Coming out of the break, Ateneo seemed poised to coast, but La Salle stunned the arena with a fierce 22-0 run that flipped the script and cut the deficit to 57-68 with time dwindling. The Red-hot stretch pushed the defending champions to their limit, and the game evolved into a tense finish as La Salle climbed within striking distance, pulling to within five points with 24 seconds left.
Newly tightened by the threat, Ateneo’s veterans steadied the ship. Andrew Bongo and Shawn Tuano combined to hit four straight free throws in the closing seconds, sealing the win and keeping the Blue Eagles undefeated. Tuano finished with 15 points on a near-perfect shooting night, including a critical surge in the fourth quarter that helped keep La Salle at bay.
Individual battles worth watching
For Ateneo, Dom Escobar and Kymani Ladi provided the scoring backbone with 15 points each, and both players also contributed on the boards with nine rebounds apiece. Tuano added 15 points on 4-of-5 shooting, underscoring the team’s balanced attack. The duo of Escobar and Ladi, both one-and-done students, showed maturity beyond their years in orchestrating the offense and securing key stops when it mattered most.
La Salle’s fight was led by Mike Phillips, who finished with 17 points and 20 rebounds, aiming to carry a wavering offense on his broad shoulders. Kean Baclaan returned from injury and added 13 points, while Jacob Cortez chipped in 10. Mason Amos, making his first UAAP appearance against his former school after transferring to La Salle, was limited to 6 points but drew attention from the Ateneo crowd in a highly anticipated reunion game.
What this win means for both teams
For Ateneo, the result reinforced its place as a frontrunner in the season, showcasing the depth and resilience required to withstand a late flurry and still emerge with a victory. Coach Tab Baldwin praised the team’s three-quarter performance, acknowledging that the fourth quarter was a lesson but also a reminder of the volatility inherent in rivalry games. “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,” Baldwin said, emphasizing the need to sustain intensity across four quarters.
La Salle, now at 2-2, can take a glimmer of hope from the second-half response and the performance of its veterans in a challenging environment. The Archers will look to translate that late energy into longer stretches of consistency as the season progresses, especially against high-caliber opponents that can punch back when momentum swings.
Looking ahead
With a rivalry game under their belts and a clean, undefeated record to protect, Ateneo will shift focus to continuing this momentum in the coming matchups. La Salle, meanwhile, recalibrates quickly, knowing that the league’s early pace leaves little room for prolonged slumps. The season remains long, and the potential for more dramatic rematches between these two storied programs is all but guaranteed.
