Ateneo de Manila University faces its toughest test yet in its short buildup for UAAP Season 89.
The Blue Eagles will take on the UST Growling Tigers in the semifinals of the 2026 Pinoyliga Big Dance tournament on Monday at the Blue Eagle Gym — the same venue where the two squads met in a triple-overtime classic a year ago in the UAAP.
Tip-off is at 4:00 PM.
Louie Alas, the newly installed Blue Eagles head coach, knows UST head coach Pido Jarencio all too well, having faced him numerous times during their tenures as PBA coaches.
During his stint with Phoenix from 2017 to 2020, Alas faced Jarencio’s NorthPort side six times, winning four of those encounters.
But collegiate basketball is a whole different story.
Jarencio has revived the UST program, leading the Growling Tigers to the UAAP Final Four for two consecutive seasons.
(C) Asiabasket
Now without the backcourt tandem of Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao, the Growling Tigers have reinforced their lineup with two NCAA Division I-level one-and-dones in Landyn Jumawan and Lorenzo Abellar, who previously played for Northwestern State and Southern Utah, respectively.
Of course, UST still has the likes of Gelo Crisostomo, Amiel Acido, Mark Llemit, and Koji Buenaflor.
UST escaped Lyceum, 77-73, on Saturday to advance to the Final Four, while Ateneo blasted Mapua, 83-70, in their quarterfinal matchup.
Kieffer Alas continued to shine for Ateneo against the Cardinals, finishing with 22 points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
The Blue Eagles’ one-and-done duo of Travis Roberts and EJ Kapihe also continued to impress, combining for 19 points in the win.
Shawn Tuano and Andrew Bongo also returned from Gilas 3×3 duties, contributing six and eight points, respectively.
The winner of the matchup will face the winner of the Jose Rizal University-Centro Escolar University semifinal.
