TOPSCORER. Ateneo de Manila University's Kai Ballungay aims for the basket against the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday (Nov. 8, 2023). Ballungay had 15 points and 14 rebounds as the Eagles beat the Tigers, 67-59. (Photo courtesy of UAAP)
MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University clobbered the University of Santo Tomas, 67-59, to end its three-game losing skid in men’s basketball in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
Kai Ballungay had 15 points and 14 rebounds as the Blue Eagles improved their record to 5-6.
Chris Koon added 12 points on 10 attempts with six rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Jared Brown had 10 points and two assists.
“We’re happy to end that losing streak, that’s for sure,” Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin said. “I was really pleased today with our defense. We did a good job on Nic (Cabañero). He’s just a handful to try and defend (against) and to hold him down to 16 (points) on 33-percent shooting is a pretty good job”.
From a 29-43 halftime deficit, UST fought back behind Cabañero, Migs Pangilinan, Kenji Duremdes, and Christian Manaytay to move within 43-47.
But that proved to be their last gallant stand as Raffy Celis, Mason Amos, and Koon scored back-to-back baskets to give the Blue Eagles a 66-56, one minute remaining.
The loss sent the Growling Tigers out of the Final Four race as they absorbed their 10th loss in 12 outings.
Huge win
In men’s badminton, Ateneo banked on skipper Arthur Samuel Salvado Jr. to escape with a 3-2 victory against seven-time champion National University at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
The 22-year-old player from Davao City defeated Julius Villabrille, 22-20, 21-12, in the deciding singles to carry the Blue Eagles to their fourth win this season.
Ateneo, NU, and the University of the Philippines ended the eliminations with identical 4-1 records but the Blue Eagles took the No. 1 spot by having superior matches won.
"Our mindset going into the tie is that we got nothing to lose and everything to gain. So, it was also my thoughts heading into my match. I was adjusting at first because I'm playing against a doubles specialist, but, fortunately, I got my groove and won it," Salvado, who debuted in the 2019 Manila SEA Games, said.
Ateneo took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five tie when Lyrden Laborte downed the country's No. 2 singles player, Mark Velasco, 21-9, 21-14, but NU equalized after MJ Perez won the second singles over Lance Vargas, 16-21, 22-20, 21-18.
The Bulldogs got the upper hand as Solomon Padiz Jr. and Villabrille outplayed Salvado and Vargas, 22-20, 21-19, in the doubles.
However, Laborte and Charles Bagasbas rallied past James Villarante and Perez, 19-21, 21-19, 22-20, to level the score at 2-2.
The University of Santo Tomas also advanced to the semifinal round after scoring a 3-2 win over La Salle.
Kyle Basilio saved the day for the Tigers, hacking out a 21-17, 21-18 win over beat Jason Pajarillo in the crucial singles match.
UST swept the first two singles, with team captain Lennox Cuilao demolishing rookie James Capin, 21-9, 21-12, and Sean dela Cruz prevailing over James Estrada, 21-13, 19-21, 21-12.
La Salle bounced back to win the two doubles matches. Yuan Tan and Yugin Tan beat Janzen Panisales and John Dizon, 21-16, 21-18, while Joshua Morada and Joshua Cuarte conquered Cuilao and Munir Bartolome, 20-22, 21-17, 21-16.
"Happy ako sa nilaro ng men's team, kasi 'yung mental toughness talaga 'yung kulang namin. 'Yun uli 'yung focus naming, especially going into the semifinals (I'm happy with how the men's team played because mental toughness is what we lack. That's our focus again, especially going into the semifinals)," UST head coach Chona Medina said.
Meanwhile, UP blanked Adamson University, 5-0, in the other game. (PNA)
