UAAP: UP stamps itself as a contender after dealing Ateneo its first loss

Last week, I asked who could stop the deadly Ateneo Blue Eagles, who looked like a complete team with little to no flaws. Well, the UP Fighting Maroons answered the call right away and dealt the Blue Eagles their first loss of UAAP Season 88 after an 83-69 trampling.

Foreign student-athlete (FSA) Francis Nnoruka came alive and led the team with 29 points and nine rebounds. At the same time, Rey Remogat finally showed why the Fighting Maroons picked him up after recording a complete stat line with 20 points, eight assists, and six rebounds.

Kymani Ladi had an irregular game, picking up 15 points and seven rebounds, as well as a technical foul after an uncharacteristic “tap” to UP’s Miguel Yniguez in the final frame. Shawn Tuano also led the team with 17 points, but only he and Ladi scored in double-digits.

FINAL: UP (3-2) scores a DOMINANT win, handing Ateneo (4-1) their first L of the season, 83-69.

Nnoruka: 28 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals
Remogat: 20 points, 8 assists
Alarcon: 17 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds

5th straight UP win over Ateneo. (Photo: Zai Ventura) pic.twitter.com/oIsU24GrJs

— Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) October 8, 2025

The real UP has shown itself

One of the main questions before Wednesday’s game was how UP can overcome its size disadvantages against Ateneo’s big men. UP answered by utilizing cuts and drives to the rim, which allowed them to break Ateneo’s 3-2 zone defense early on, while also preventing two of Ateneo’s one-and-done trio from getting comfortable on the floor.

Despite finishing with zero points, Jacob Bayla logged a +21 performance mainly due to his effort and tenacity on defense, specifically in defending Dominic Escobar, who was held to four points. Jayden Lazo also struggled after tallying three points.

UP looked lost offensively in their first couple of losses, but has since improved after allowing Remogat to be the primary ballhandler. Besides his scoring prowess, Remogat’s playmaking propels his game to the next level. Nnoruka also showed some flashes of UP’s former FSA Bright Akhuetie, and time will tell if he can sustain this momentum and become a steady contributor for UP. Harold Alarcon also showed out with 17 points, including 13 points in a back-and-forth second quarter.

UP has a lot to be proud of for the win, and with the FEU Tamaraws waiting on the wings, the question pivots to whether they can sustain the aggression on both ends for the rest of their title defense.

Back to reality for Ateneo

In many ways, the loss marks a learning moment for head coach Tab Baldwin and the Blue Eagles. 

They know now that teams can limit their one-and-dones and take advantage of their shoddy zone defense. Divine Adili also knows he should have done better in protecting the paint. Ladi has certainly realized that he can’t take over anytime he wants after the whole league has taken notice of his dominance.

Baldwin undoubtedly knows what adjustments are needed to bounce back. WIth a league as competitive as the UAAP, the loss may just be what this revamped Ateneo team needed to be completely unstoppable for the rest of the season.

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