By MARK REY MONTEJO
Kymani Ladi came out big in the crunch and helped Ateneo pull off a 62-60 thriller over University of the East for a 2-0 start in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Cool under pressure, Ladi drilled a crucial triple – off Jared Bahay’s pass – to give the Blue Eagles a 61-60 lead. That winning basket came after Wello Lingolingo’s own trey that put the Red Warriors ahead, 60-58, with 22.7 seconds remaining.
UE’s bid to turn things around, however, vanished into thin air after Ateneo’s Dominic Escobar stole the ball from Nico Mulingtapang.
Ladi, one of Ateneo’s one-and-done players, registered his first double-double UAAP game with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Bahay, for his part, added 8 points on top of six rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
“I think it’s just the confidence that my teammates gave to me, and it played a huge role,” said Ladi. “Expect me to do my best, I’m not taking this [player of the game honor] as long as we win the game, that’s what matters to me.”
Waki Espina also impressed for Ateneo on the rainbow territory where he hit four times for17 points. He also tallied one rebound, two assists, and one steal.
UE, meanwhile, was anchored offensively by Lingongo (19) and John Abate (11), but Precios Momowei was held to just nine points.
The Tab Baldwin-guided crew took a 35-24, but UE – rallied to tie the count at 45-all.
It was a double celebration for Ateneo as two-time UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa stamped her class and powered the Lady Blue Eagles past University of the East Lady Warriors, 81-52.
Fresh off her Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 campaign in the FIBA U23 World Cup, Dela Rosa showed no signs of fatigue as she anchored the Blue Eagles’ onslaught in the fourth where they ballooned their lead to 34, 79-45, to completely dismantle the Lady Warriors.
The versatile 6-foot center tallied with a game-high 29 points, nine rebounds, one assist, five steals, and four blocks in less than 28 minutes of play to help Ateneo clinch its first win this season.
“It was a great team effort, and I’m happy that we performed well in our first game this Season 88, malaking boost ‘to heading into next games,” said Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa got offensive support from Sarah Makanjuola and Katelyn Cancio who chipped in 15 and 11 points, respectively.
Aliyah Ronquillo and Rachel Lacayanga combined for 21 points but still wasn’t enough as UE absorbed its first defeat.
Up next for Delar Rosa and the Eagles are the Adamson Lady Falcons, while the Lady Warriors try to redeem themselves when they battle University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. Both games are set Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The scores:
Ateneo (62) – Ladi 17, 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, Tañedo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-14, 35-24, 47-47, 62-60
