Ateneo de Manila University’s Jared Bahay (#9) and Kymani Ladi (#1) against Far Eastern University in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) – Ateneo de Manila University is off to a triumphant start in UAAP Season 88 men's basketball.
Tab Baldwin's troops opened the newest season in a better way than they did last year, as the Blue Eagles took flight over Far Eastern University in overtime, 86-83, in their Saturday afternoon clash at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion in España.
Prized one-and-done recruit Kymani Ladi introduced himself to the UAAP with 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and a block, while Jared Bahay took charge in the clutch, scoring seven of his 13 total markers in OT on top of five dimes and three boards.
"Proud of the team sticking to the job, getting across the finish line," Ateneo's Tab Baldwin, who just signed a three-year extension earlier in the day, said after the contest.
READ: Tab Baldwin signs contract extension with Ateneo
"Obviously, I can't change who I am. I'm not really very happy with the quality of our performance. At both ends of the floor, there were times we were good at both ends of the floor. But this game was won on talent and not on tactics and coaching ability and cohesiveness. So give credit to the players," he added.
Down 80-74 in overtime, Bahay came alive for the Katipunan-based cagers, hitting two straight three-pointers to tie the game at 80 with still 59 ticks left in the extension.
This gave Far Easter U enough time for a chance to regain their lead, but Janrey Pasaol committed a costly turnover, and the 6-foot-7 Ladi took advantage of the error on the other end.
The Filipino-American converted the go-ahead basket in the following play off an assist by Bahay, and he went on to seal the contest after yet another Tams turnover with a three-pointer at the 12-second mark.
Bautista still made a trey five seconds later, but that proved to be too late as Ateneo eventually held on for their first win of Season 88. Bahay again played a role in the closing seconds, stealing the ball off FEU center Mo Kanateh.
Pasaol led the Sean Chambers-coached team with a near triple-double of 24 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds, and two steals, Bautista scored the same amount with two dimes and a board, while Konateh was solid with an 11-point, 23-rebound game.
The Scores:
Ateneo 86 -- Ladi 26, Escobar 16, Bahay 13, Lazo 9, Adili 7, Espina 5, Bongo 5, Tuano 3, Ong 2, Lazaro 0, Espinosa 0, Gamber 0, Nieto 0.
FEU 83 -- Bautista 24, Pasaol 24, Konateh 11, Felipe 7, Montemayor 6, Daa 4, Owens 3, Mongcopa 2, Ona 2, Macapagal 0.
Quarterscores: 24-22, 40-34, 61-55, 74-74, 86-83.