By MARK REY MONTEJO
Ateneo finally snapped a five-game losing skein with a 78-74 come-from-behind win over a hard-luck University of the East side in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, Nov. 5.
Trailing by 11, 52-63, in the third quarter, the Blue Eagles turned to their defense and outscored the Red Warriors in the payoff period to overcome a 64-58 deficit – thanks to Divine Adili who led the team’s late surge.
He gave Ateneo a 75-74 lead by splitting his free throws with 20 seconds left.
UE had its chance to halt the Ateneo comeback and end its misery but committed costly turnover in the next play. Also Wello Lingolingo – back after serving out his three games suspension – was rusty as he missed numerous game-winning attempts.
Those misses resulted in Ateneo’s key charities in dying seconds.
With their hard-earned victory, the Eagles kept their semifinal bid alive as they improved to 5-5 at sixth, while the Warriors absorbed their 10th consecutive loss this season.
It was also a sweep win by Ateneo as it previously bested UE via a 62-60 escape in their first-round encounter last Sept. 24, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
Gilas Pilipinas newest recruit Kymani Ladi shone for the Tab Baldwin-mentored crew with 16 points on top of nine rebounds and one assist, while Adili impressed with a double-double outing of 15 points and 13 rebounds.
He also posted two assists, one block and two steals in almost 25 minutes of play. Espinosa and Dom Escobar chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Shawn Tuano added nine.
Precious Momowei led UE anew with 19 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, one steal and two blocks, while Lingolingo tallied 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, and one block.
John Abate also stood out with 18 points, four rebounds, six assists, and one steal before getting fouled out in the waning seconds of the fourth. All efforts from the Warriors’ triumvirate went to waste as they remained the lone winless squad this year.
