Ateneo opens UAAP season with OT thriller win over FEU

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles opened their UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball redemption tour on a high note after pulling off an insane come-from-behind OT win over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 86-83, on Sept. 20, 2025, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

To achieve the courageous comeback, the Blue Eagles staged two game-winning runs in separate stretches: the first in the final 2:40 of the fourth quarter and the other in the cardiac period of overtime.

Down by four, 66-70, in the fourth, Jared Bahay provided the spark for Ateneo after draining a huge three-pointer that trimmed their deficit to just a point, 69-70.

After a completed defensive stop, Bahay dished out a perfectly timed swing-pass dime to Kymani Ladi, who buried a wide-open trey that put Ateneo back in the driver’s seat, 72-70, with only 1:49 remaining.

Just when the Blue Eagles thought they could escape the feisty Tamaraws in regulation, FEU’s star guard Jorick Bautista played spoiler, breaking Ateneo’s hearts with a cold-blooded fadeaway jumper from the right elbow that forced overtime.

The Tamaraws began the extension period hot and rode the momentum from Bautista’s clutch basket, holding Ateneo scoreless in the first three minutes of OT while knocking down much-needed shots to grab an 80-74 cushion.

Answering the call for Ateneo once again was Bahay, who showed he was in command after equalizing the ball game at 80-all with back-to-back shots from downtown.

Bahay exploded for six points in just 30 seconds as he exposed FEU’s loose coverage on pick-and-pops, pulling the trigger after getting a step ahead of his backside defender.

Last year’s top recruit not only flashed his offensive brilliance but also delivered the game-winning steal on the next possession that prevented FEU from retaking the lead.

As soon as Bahay went off to the races, the floor general found the trailing Ladi, who calmly converted the fast-break layup that put the Blue Eagles ahead by a deuce, 82-80.

Unfortunately for the Tamaraws, they ran out of gas in the final minute of OT and failed to produce a comeback when Ladi added another three-point bomb, pushing Ateneo’s advantage to five, 85-80, and sealing the deal with 10 seconds left.

Ladi spearheaded Ateneo’s momentum-boosting win with a game-high 26 points alongside nine rebounds, three assists, and a block.

Bahay, who weaved his magic just when the Blue Eagles needed him most, chipped in 13 markers, five dimes, and four steals.

“I’m not entirely happy with the quality of our performance at both ends of the floor,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin after the gusty dub.

“There were moments when we played well, but this game was won on talent rather than tactics, coaching, or cohesiveness.”