Ateneo stuns FEU in UAAP Season 88 opening OT thriller; Bahay, Ladi shine

Jared Bahay and one-and-done ahead Kymani Ladi save the day for Ateneo, which kicks off the UAAP Season 88 males’s basketball wars in UST with an exhilarating additional time escape towards FEU

MANILA, Philippines – Jared Bahay and Kymani Ladi got here by means of when it mattered most for the Ateneo Blue Eagles as they escaped the FEU Tamaraws in an exhilarating additional time end, 86-83, to open UAAP Season 88 males’s basketball on the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday, September 20. 

With the Blue Eagles gazing a six-point deficit with beneath two minutes left within the further interval, 74-80, Bahay took it upon himself and delivered back-to-back three-pointers to tie the sport at 80-all with 1:06 to play.

Bahay then pressured FEU’s Janrey Pasaol to commit a turnover within the subsequent play, which led to the go-ahead basket by Ladi in transition with 59 seconds left, 82-80. 

Ladi adopted it up with a cold-blooded triple with 12 seconds remaining to place the Blue Eagles forward by two possessions, 85-80.

A 3-pointer by Jorick Bautista obtained the Tamaraws again to inside two, 83-85, with seven seconds left, earlier than Bahay put the ending touches with a free throw and one other essential steal as time expired. 

“Welcome again to the UAAP. It seems prefer it’s going to be that form of 12 months. Nice for the followers, actually thrilling,” stated Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.

“I’m pleased with the crew for sticking to the job and getting throughout the end line,” he added. 

In solely his first recreation within the UAAP, the one-and-done ahead Ladi wasted no time placing on a present for the Blue Eagles as he erupted for a game-high 26 factors, to go along with 9 rebounds, and three assists. 

Ladi’s fellow one-and-done recruit Dominic Escobar additionally got here to play for Ateneo in his UAAP debut, placing up 16 factors on an environment friendly 7-of-10 taking pictures, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and a pair of steals.

Like Ladi and Escobar, Bahay additionally scored in double figures for the Blue Eagles with 13 factors, together with 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. 

With the win, the Blue Eagles snapped a four-game dropping skid to the Tamaraws courting again to Season 86 and likewise gifted Baldwin a victory after the college introduced his contract extension till 2028. 

Pasaol carried the battle for the Tamaraws within the heartbreaking loss with a close to triple-double of 24 factors, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds, whereas Bautista additionally exploded for twenty-four markers. 

Ateneo likewise spoiled the monster efficiency of FEU’s overseas student-athlete Mo Konateh, who completed with 11 factors and 23 rebounds in 44 minutes of motion.

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 – Pasaol 24, Bautista 24, Konateh 11, Felipe 7, Montemayor 6, Daa 4, Owens 3, Mongcopa 2, Ona 2, Macapagal 0. 

Quarters: 24-22, 40-34, 61-55, 74-74 (reg.), 86-83 (OT).

– Rappler.com