The top-ranked NU Bulldogs didn't flinch against Ateneo, scoring their bounce-back win all while sending the Blue Eagles to a fifth-straight loss in UAAP Season 88.
NU wasted no time to return to the win column, barking to a 66-50 dismissal of Ateneo in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Bulldogs swept their season series against the Blue Eagles, keeping first place in the standings with a 7-2 record.
Jake Figueroa delivered a solid 15-point, 14-rebound double-double to steady the NU ship as Gelo Santiago was ejected early in the second half following an elbow to Waki Espina’s head.
Reinhard Jumamoy, Jolo Manansala, and Steva Nash Enriquez all chipped in eight points each to complement Figueroa.
Ateneo got a team-high 12 markers from Kymani Ladi, but the Blue Eagles absorbed their fifth-straight loss following a 4-0 start.
Next up for the Bulldogs is a showdown with the red-hot DLSU Green Archers (5-3) on Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
As for Ateneo, the Blue Eagles take a nine-day pause before locking horns with the UE Red Warriors (0-8) on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the same venue.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.