Ateneo’s one-and-done trio makes noise in UAAP debut

For weeks leading up to UAAP Season 88, curiosity surrounded Ateneo’s much-hyped one-and-done recruits—Kymani Ladi, Dom Escobar, and Jaden Lazo. Would they adapt quickly to the unforgiving pace of college basketball in the Philippines, or would the spotlight weigh them down?

On opening day, the answers came fast. In a nail-biting 86-83 win over Far Eastern University, the trio didn’t just adjust—they delivered.

Leading the charge was the towering 6-foot-8 Ladi, who looked every bit the anchor Ateneo hoped for. Pounding the paint and stretching the defense, he dropped 26 points along with nine rebounds and three assists.

“I was just telling myself that it will be okay. You gotta play for your team, for your teammates, and get this win. It’s very important to set the tone,” Ladi said, explaining his mindset.

Escobar, still nursing a sore back, was the sparkplug in the first half. His relentless energy helped Ateneo seize momentum as he put up 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals before cramps cut his night short in the fourth.

EAGLES FLY 🦅

Kymani Ladi and the Ateneo Blue Eagles outlasted the FEU Tamaraws in an overtime thriller to start strong in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball!#UAAPSeason88 #LegendsStartHere #StrengthInMotionHopeInAction pic.twitter.com/XYJIiO2Iqd

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) September 20, 2025

“It’s honestly been rough for me. I wanted to play, but it’s a matter of sacrifice. I’m still happy we won,” Escobar admitted.

“Thank God, fortunately I was making my shots and everything was going right.”

Then came Lazo, the poised guard who overcame early nerves to knock down three triples and finish with nine points, two boards, and two steals.

“I can’t lie, there were a little bit of first-game jitters. But after the first quarter, I was good,” he said with a grin.

The trio admitted that the speed of the game and the energy inside the arena took some adjustment, but their performance suggested they’re built for the challenge.

“When tip-off goes, you get a little bit of jitters, but as a player you have to adjust, and that’s what I did,” Ladi shared.

Beyond the stat lines, what stood out most was their appreciation for the unique UAAP atmosphere—something they had only heard about until now.

“It’s amazing, I love it. The hoops here, the environment—everything about it is special,” Lazo said.

Escobar echoed him: “It’s something I’ve never seen before. Just the energy of the crowd, the atmosphere is crazy and very energizing, very live, and honestly a fun environment to play in.”

But for all the hype around their debut, the Blue Eagles know that one good game won’t define their season. The real challenge is sustaining this level as they aim to rebound from a disappointing Season 87.

“We just gotta go game by game. Once we do that, we’ll be a great team,” said Ladi.

“I’m just looking forward to the next game. We’re taking it game by game and focusing on the next practice in preparation,” Lazo echoed.

Escobar summed it up best: “Just from talks, we’re kind of like the dark horse. But going forward, we just have to keep playing hard and keep our preparation up.”

If opening night was any indication, Ateneo’s one-and-done experiment isn’t just living up to expectations—it might just tilt the balance of Season 88. 

Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!