Divine Adili made his long-awaited return count.
Back from a three-game absence due to back issues, the Nigerian rookie center powered Ateneo de Manila University past the University of the East, 78–74, to finally snap a five-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday.
Adili imposed his will in the paint with 15 points — 10 in the fourth quarter — 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. He helped the Blue Eagles claw back from a 57–64 deficit entering the final frame to reclaim a spot in the win column after more than a month of frustration.
What made his performance even more remarkable was his lack of practice time.
Adili revealed that he had been nursing his back injury throughout the season, limiting his training sessions with Ateneo to almost none.
“I feel really excited to be back. I’ve been itching to get back, and I got the opportunity today,” said the 20-year-old big man, who previously studied at New Era University.
“I’m just gonna keep looking to get 100 percent healthy, do my rehab, and control what I can control.”
Head coach Tab Baldwin lauded Adili’s resilience and the immediate impact he brought despite not having fully reintegrated with the team.
“Regarding Divine, having him back, I don’t think we can overemphasize how important that is,” said Baldwin. “We’ve been a team that’s really struggled around the basket this year, and it’s pretty evident that when Divine is out there, it changes the dynamic for the team. We got more out of him today than we expected.
“Twenty-five minutes is a big effort coming from where he’s come from.”
Baldwin also revealed that until this week, Adili had not participated in a single full training session with the team since the week before the season started.
Yet his presence instantly gave Ateneo a boost in the interior, matching UE’s 26 points in the paint — a feat considering the Red Warriors have one of the league’s most dominant big men in Precious Momowei.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Momowei still turned in a monster effort with 19 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal. But his performance wasn’t enough to prevent UE from sinking to its 16th straight loss dating back to last season.
“I told [Divine] in the third or fourth quarter, stop trying to be a player and just get your rhythm,” Baldwin recalled.
“He had a big second half and was a huge factor in the game. The stats tell a story — getting parity in points in the paint with Precious, who’s one of the best inside scorers in the league, is a big plus for us.”
Baldwin believes that as Adili logs more game time and recovers further, he’ll continue to elevate Ateneo’s presence inside.
“We’re delighted to have him back,” he said.
“He’s only going to get more comfortable with more practice and playing time. We really need that presence in the paint, and it’s great for us.”
Adili, for his part, vowed to keep putting in the work.
“It starts with practice and getting extra work,” he said.
“Just like today, I mishandled the ball a few times, so I’ll keep doing extra drills and see where it goes from there.”
