Adili returns to lift Ateneo past UE, 78-74, ends five-game skid
Ateneo Blue Eagles finally broke its five-game losing streak in dramatic fashion, rallying past the UE Red Warriors, 78-74, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Back in action after missing three games due to a back injury, Nigerian center Divine Adili made a powerful return, anchoring the Blue Eagles’ fourth-quarter comeback. Adili finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, with 10 of his points coming in the final frame as Ateneo erased a seven-point deficit.
The victory lifted Ateneo’s record to 5-5, tying Adamson University for fifth place, and marking its first win in exactly a month — since defeating archrival De La Salle, 81-74, last October 5.
UE, meanwhile, saw its struggles continue as it dropped to 0-10, officially bowing out of Final Four contention while extending its losing skid to 16 games dating back to last season.
The Red Warriors appeared poised for a breakthrough after leading by as many as 11 points, 63-52, in the third quarter and taking a 64-57 advantage heading into the final frame. But Ateneo caught fire in the clutch, with Adili muscling inside for a go-ahead layup, 72-71, with 3:46 left.
John Abate briefly restored the lead for UE with an and-one play, 74-72, but that would be the Warriors’ last basket. Ateneo closed out the game on a 6-0 run from the free-throw line, with Ian Espinosa and Adili combining to sink crucial charities that sealed the comeback win.
Kymani Ladi paced Ateneo with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Espinosa added 13 markers, and Dom Escobar chipped in nine points, five assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
(Video from the YouTube Channel of One Sports)
For UE, Precious Momowei turned in another stellar performance with 19 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, while Abate also finished with 18 points and six assists before fouling out late. Wello Lingolingo, returning from a three-game suspension, contributed 19 points and five boards, but went just 6-of-21 from the field and missed a crucial three-pointer in the final minute.
UE will try to salvage a win when it faces the University of the Philippines on Saturday, November 8 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, while Ateneo hopes to carry its newfound momentum into a rematch with De La Salle University on Sunday, November 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
Ateneo 78 – Ladi 16, Adili 15, Espinosa 13, Escobar 11, Tuano 9, Espina 7, Lazaro 4, Bongo 3, Bahay 0, Lazo 0, Fjellvang 0.
UE 74 – Momowei 19, Lingolingo 19, Abate 18, Despi 8, Datumalim 6, Robles 2, Cruz-Dumont 2, Caoile 0, Lagat 0, Malaga 0.
Quarter Scores: 18-21, 39-40, 57-64, 78-74.
