ATENEO de Manila University finally broke through, turning home-court advantage into its first win of the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Tournament with a 100-80 victory over University of the Philippines Integrated School on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Blue Eagles, who lost to their Katipunan rivals on a game-winning triple in their first-round meeting, exacted revenge and snapped their winless start to the season.
The victory also offered Ateneo a measure of redemption after its 34-77 blowout loss to Far Eastern University-Diliman last Thursday.
“We’re so blessed. Breaks went our way. These guys, sila ‘yung gumawa. They worked hard for it. Even in practice yesterday, so it started there, we just translated it into the game,” said Ateneo head coach Jeff Mangubat.
Ateneo broke away in the second quarter, capitalizing on UPIS’ shooting woes and attacking the paint for easy baskets to take a comfortable 55-37 lead into halftime.
Led by Jayden Ylen, the Blue Eagles extended their advantage to 23 points in the third quarter, unleashing a 14-3 run with three minutes remaining in the period.
The Fighting Maroons, however, mounted a comeback in the final canto, trimming the deficit to single digits midway through the fourth quarter.
Despite UPIS’ late surge, Ateneo remained composed, limiting its opponents to just two points in the final five minutes as the Blue Eagles sealed the victory with a decisive 15-2 run.
Ylen delivered an all-around performance with 22 points, seven rebounds, six steals, and five assists.
Diego Nuque-Bautista also scored 22 points on an efficient 10-of-13 shooting clip, adding five rebounds and four steals.
Chris Llavore came close to a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Karl Gandionco chipped in 11 points.
The Blue Eagles capitalized on UPIS’ 35 turnovers, scoring 42 points off their opponents’ miscues.
