Late-game run not enough for UP as they fall to Ateneo in season opener

Despite the University of the Philippines’ attempt to chase the Ateneo de Manila University late in the fourth frame, they still dropped their first game of the season, 68-79, Sunday, September 9, at the Adamson Gymnasium, Manila.

Both teams found themselves tied at 15 points apiece, four minutes into the game. Then, with a little over three minutes left, a Kaye Pesquera free throw handed UP a three-point lead, before Ylyssa Eufemiano went on a shooting spree, making two three-pointers and handing Ateneo a seven-point lead heading into the second quarter, 29-22.

The Fighting Maroons’ weak defense was mostly seen in the third frame, with Ateneo’s lead ballooning to as much as 17, 63-46, with under two minutes left. Despite sparks of hope from Achrissa Maw and Louna Ozar, Ateneo headed into the final quarter with a 65-49 advantage.

Ateneo brought its lead back to 17 at 73-56 after a Dela Rosa basket in the final frame, before Pesquera and Maw each contributed successive five and two points to keep UP alive, cutting the lead down to 10 with two and a half minutes left in the ballgame.

However, time had already run out for the Fighting Maroons, eventually losing the match, 68-79.

With last season’s top blocker and Rookie of the Year in Favour Onoh sidelined this year due to injuries to both knees, UP struggled defensively, as evidenced by their 29 rebounds to Ateneo’s 59, and zero blocks to the Blue Eagles’ five. Ateneo also earned 21 second-chance points to UP’s two, with 50 of their points coming from inside the paint.

Maw led UP with 23 points, while Pesquera and Ozar contributed 17 and 16, each. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa top-scored for Ateneo, earning a career-high of 34 points with 11 rebounds, and was assisted by Sarah Makanjuola’s 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Eufemiano’s 12 points and five rebounds.

UP will next face the UE Red Warriors at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 1:30 PM. Both teams are looking to get their first win of the season as the Red Warriors fell to defending champions UST Golden Tigresses, 44-86.

The Scores:
Ateneo 79 – Dela Rosa 34, Makanjuola 13, Eufemiano 12, Oani 8, Calago 6, Villacruz 4, Batongbakal 2, Cancio 0, Cruza 0, Angala 0.
UP 68 – Maw 23, Pesquera 17, Ozar 16, Tapawan 4, Nolasco 3, Bariquit 2, Mendoza 2, Barba 1, Lozada 0, Solitario 0, Vingno 0, Quinquinio 0, Jimenez 0, Sauz 0.

Quarter scores: 29-22, 49-39, 65-49, 79-68

This UP Fighting Maroons Club post is in partnership with Jiang Nan Hotpot.