Ateneo survives late DLSU rally to maintain perfect UAAP record

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles held off a courageous late run from the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 81-74, to remain unbeaten in the ongoing UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Oct. 5, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

After leading by as much as 33 points, the Green Archers answered with a torrid run to start the fourth quarter and held Ateneo scoreless for almost seven straight minutes of action.

From holding a massive advantage, last year’s runners-up were quickly fueled after completing an impressive 22-0 run, trimming their deficit to as close as 11 points, 68-57, with 3:44 remaining in the UAAP rivalry clash.

Answering the call for the Blue Eagles was Shawn Tuano, who converted a much-needed, foul-counted layup that ended Ateneo’s long scoring drought.

DLSU’s nearest catch-up was at 79-74 after an EJ Gollena layup, but time wasn’t on their side with only 12.6 seconds left in regulation.

Much of the postgame buzz focused more on DLSU’s late surge, but Ateneo’s masterclass in the first three quarters was one of the best basketball performances they executed under the Tab Baldwin era.

In the first 30 minutes, Ateneo schooled the Green Archers, flaunting well-executed offensive plays that focused primarily on attacking Mason Amos’ defense at the post.

Dom Escobar was a beast for the Blue Eagles in the first half, dropping 15 points off an efficient shooting display highlighted by isolation blow-by drives at the top of the key.

Backstopping Escobar’s first-half explosion was veteran power forward Joshua Lazaro, who put on a show midway through the second quarter with eight quick markers.

The Green Archers had no answers to Ateneo’s firepower and, to make matters worse, struggled at the free-throw line, missing 20 shots out of their 45 attempts.

A balanced scoring effort capped off Ateneo’s big win over DLSU, with Kymani Ladi, Escobar, and Tuano scattering 15 points apiece.

Meanwhile, Lazaro and Ilonggo point guard Ian Espinosa combined for 17 markers.

On the other hand, leading DLSU’s come-from-behind attempt was Mike Phillips, who wrapped up the loss with 17 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field alongside 20 rebounds and 6 assists.

“I think we have a choice to talk about three quarters of basketball or one quarter, and we’ll do both in the confines of our dugout and our next practice,” said Baldwin during the postgame conference.

“We’ll talk about that the way we played in the three quarters is just about as good as an Ateneo team has played for me, I think, and that’s a big statement. And then in the fourth quarter, we played about as badly as an Ateneo team has played for me. Fortunately, it was only one quarter.”