Ateneo dismantles UE to honor Bobet, Divine 100 days after Aurora tragedy

MANILA, September 17 ------ Ateneo de Manila University honored Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili yet again, 100 days after the Dipaculao, Aurora tragedy that claimed their lives on June 8.

Donning their "DA | RB" patches, the Blue Eagles dominated University of the East, 101-74, in their UAAP Season 89 men's basketball debut on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, in front of an emotional crowd that included the families of Baterbonia and Adili.

Leading the charge was rookie Kieffer Alas, who posted 24 points, four rebounds, and an assist in his first collegiate game, while Jared Bahay paced the Blue Eagles with 17 points, two assists, and two rebounds. "After everything that happened, everything counted us out, so hopefully, slowly, we can go bring ourselves back to where we want to be," said Alas, who came five points short of breaking the UAAP rookie record for most points in a debut, set by former Adamson University guard Jerrick Ahanmisi with 29 points in 2016.

Also standing out were Grayson Rogers, who had 12 points, and veteran Andrew Bongo, who added nine points and five rebounds, but it was Alas' brilliance that helped Ateneo gain momentum. With Ateneo holding a slim 25-23 lead early in the second frame, Alas and Travis Roberts spearheaded a 16-to-1 surge that eventually gave the Blue Eagles a 20-point cushion before halftime.

Toper Lagat provided some spark for UE in the third period, with the sophomore guard's deuce with 6:03 left in the frame bringing the Red Warriors to within 14, 64-50. But that was the closest UE could get, as Ateneo eventually stretched its lead to as many as 38, 93-55, before the final buzzer. Lagat led the Red Warriors with 15 points, while JM Edoukou and Cole Cruz-Dumont each scored 14, but their efforts were not enough as UE has now lost 21 straight games dating back to UAAP Season 87.

The Scores:

Ateneo 101 — Alas 24, Bahay 17, Rogers 12, Bongo 9, Leal 6, Tuano 6, Asoro 6, Baruwa 5, Roberts 5, Espinosa 4, Kapihe 4, Urbina 1, Cainglet 1, Reyes 1, De Luna 0.

UE 74 — Lagat 15, Edoukou 14, Cruz-Dumont 14, Carillo 9, Sabroso 7, Jimenez 6, Robles 4, Javier 3, Datumalim 2, Tañedo 0, Vazquez 0, Mascarinas 0, Perez 0, Santos 0.

Quarterscores: 25-16, 56-39, 85-55, 101-74.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com