UAAP: Gritty Ateneo fends off UE scare for 2-0 start

 Ateneo avoided another overtime thriller, pulling off a narrow 62-60 victory over the University of the East in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Kymani Ladi delivered in the clutch, burying the go-ahead triple with 22.7 seconds left before the Blue Eagles’ defense came up with the stops they needed. 

Dominic Escobar stripped Nico Mulingtapang in the ensuing play and added a split at the line, while Ladi disrupted Precious Momowei’s final attempt to seal the win.

“It wasn’t the best performance, but it was gutsy. We made the shots we have to make and the stops we have to make,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin, relieved that his squad preserved the win after nearly squandering a 12-point cushion in the second half.

“Give credit to Chris [Gavina] and UE. They really battled today and made it difficult in offense for us. We had a pretty stable first half, but our shooting abandoned us in the second half. We just didn’t hit our shots, but at the end of the day, it’s defense and rebounding that won us the game,” he added.

Here are the updated team standings in the #UAAPSeason88 Men’s and U16 Basketball Tournament after today’s games (September 24) at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.#StrengthInMotionHopeInAction pic.twitter.com/ZUWaKDhRgp

— The UAAP (@uaap_official) September 24, 2025

The Blue Eagles shot just 8-of-33 in the second half but leaned on their hustle on the boards, 51-41, to stay unbeaten at 2-0 following their 86-83 win over FEU last Sunday.

Ladi validated his preseason hype with another big game, tallying 18 points and 10 rebounds. He got timely support from Waki Espina, who erupted for a career-high 17 points on four triples, while Escobar added seven points, six boards, and three steals. Rookie Jared Bahay chipped in eight points alongside six rebounds and four assists.

UE, now 0-2 under coach Chris Gavina, nearly stole the game behind Lingolingo, who poured 12 of his 19 points in the third-quarter rally. He also grabbed seven rebounds, while John Abate registered 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals before fouling out late.

The Red Warriors’ comeback fell just short, however, as Ateneo dug deep to keep its early momentum intact.

ATENEO 62 – Ladi 18, Espina 17, Bahay 8, Escobar 7, Lazaro 3, Gamber 3, Bongo 2, Adili 2, Espinosa 1, Lazo 1, Tuano 0, Ong 0. 

UE 60 – Lingolingo 19, Abate 11, Mulingtapang 9, Momowei 9, Jimenez 6, Caoile 4, Malaga 2, Robles 0, Tanedo 0. 

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