Ateneo nips UE to arrest month-long UAAP skid

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles finally ended a month of misery after edging the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 78-74, in the ongoing UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Nov. 5, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

With the much-needed victory, the Blue Eagles ended their five-game UAAP losing streak, improving to a 5-5 win-loss record and keeping their Final Four hopes alive.

Down by as much as 11 points in the third quarter, Ateneo rallied in the fourth frame, spearheaded by the returning Divine Adili, who immediately made an impact when the Blue Eagles needed him the most.

The bruising center returned from a three-game absence due to a back injury but played as if he never missed the last few games of the first round, dropping 15 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.

Adili powered Ateneo in the fourth and scored 10 of his 15 in the quarter alone, including the crucial putback to put the Blue Eagles back in the driver’s seat, 72-71.

Moreover, Adili’s nose for the ball helped Ateneo pile up the offensive rebounds, tallying several second-chance points that prevented the Red Warriors from stealing the momentum in the final five minutes of the game.

The game went down to the wire after John Abate completed a foul-counted layup conversion that gave UE back the lead, 74-72, with only 2:15 remaining.

However, a stroke of luck howled over Ateneo’s side when UE failed to score in the next few possessions, which the Blue Eagles capitalized on to seal the deal with a barrage of free throws.

Still winless entering the matchup with a 0-9 win-loss record, the Red Warriors waxed hot early in the game, with Precious Momowei picking up where he left off, backstopped by the inspired shooting of Wello Lingolingo.

Just when UE thought they already had the grip of the contest after mounting an 11-point lead, the hungry Ateneo squad received a balanced attack from their core that answered every haymaker the Red Warriors threw.

Kymani Ladi also capped off the win with a huge all-around effort, stuffing the stat sheet with 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Waki Espina added 13 markers.

Despite starting Season 88 with an impressive 5-0 record, the Blue Eagles found themselves in a tough spot for a Final Four entry after losing five straight games, falling from the No. 1 spot to a three-way fifth-place tie with Adamson and UST.

Awaiting the Blue Eagles in the scheduled second round of elimination matches are DLSU, Adamson, UST, and UP.