UAAP Week 4: NU pulls off late comeback vs Adamson; UP ends Ateneo’s unbeaten run in UAAP twin bill

 National University and the University of the Philippines delivered two contrasting yet equally dramatic wins to shake up the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball standings on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

For the second straight game, NU found itself in a tense fourth-quarter battle—but this time, the Bulldogs refused to crumble. Rallying from 11 points down in the final five minutes, they clawed back to stun Adamson University, 56-54, behind a clutch and-one play from Jake Figueroa with just 52.5 seconds remaining.

Figueroa, who finished with 17 points, embodied NU’s resilience as the Bulldogs erased a 52-41 deficit sparked by OJ Ojarikre’s putback. Jolo Manansala and Gelo Santiago fueled the furious comeback, combining for crucial baskets during the 11-0 rally that turned the tide.

Adamson had multiple chances to steal the game, but AJ Fransman’s layup missed, Cedrick Manzano’s tip-in rimmed out, and Matty Erolon’s late drive failed to connect. The Falcons’ final turnover sealed the escape act for NU.

After letting a win slip away against UP last weekend, NU flipped the narrative this time, outscoring Adamson 15-2 in the closing 5:33 to secure solo second at 4-1, just behind Ateneo.

The loss dropped Adamson to 1-4, now staring at a three-game losing streak despite Manzano’s 16 points and rookie Earl Medina’s perfect 3-of-3 showing from deep.

WE’RE GOING UP, UP, UP

The UP Fighting Maroons extended its winning streak to three after dominating the Ateneo Blue Eagles with an 83-69 win, October 8, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Keep the fight going, UP Community!

Steve Marion#UPFight #nowheretogobutUP #SugodUP pic.twitter.com/R1Ye9vpQ0i

— UP Fighting Maroons (@upmbt) October 8, 2025

In the “Battle of Katipunan” curtain closer for the Wednesday matchups, Ateneo de Manila University, had their unbeaten run snapped by a surging University of the Philippines side, 83-69.

Francis Nnoruka and Rey Remogat spearheaded a decisive third-quarter onslaught that buried the Blue Eagles. Nnoruka exploded for 15 points in the period, while Remogat orchestrated the offense with his playmaking and speed as UP outscored Ateneo 24-11 to seize control.

Nnoruka finished just shy of a 30-point outing with 28 points, nine rebounds, and four steals, while Remogat flirted with a near triple-double—20 points, eight assists, six boards, and two steals—before being ejected late in the game for a second unsportsmanlike foul.

“Both of those fouls were under Criteria 1,” the officials clarified, noting that Remogat’s infractions involved contact not directly aimed at playing the ball.

Harold Alarcon also stepped up with 17 points, 15 of which came before halftime as the Fighting Maroons overcame a slow start to seize momentum.

The win marked UP’s fifth consecutive triumph over Ateneo since Season 86, while also boosting the Maroons to 3-2 and solo fourth. Ateneo, now 4-1, slipped into a tie with NU atop the standings after a roller-coaster week that included a near-collapse versus La Salle.

Shawn Tuano led the Blue Eagles with 17 points but struggled at the stripe, going 5-of-10, while Kymani Ladi added 15.

UP eyes its fourth straight win on Sunday against FEU, while Ateneo hopes to regain form versus UST at its Katipunan home floor. 

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