More than two months after the Aurora tragedy that claimed the lives of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, Ateneo de Manila University finally returned to the court, holding off Our Lady of Fatima University, 71-60, in the 2026 Pinoyliga Big Dance on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
With Tab Baldwin’s resignation from the team, the game marked Louie Alas’ debut as head coach of the Blue Eagles.
Despite the suspensions handed down by the UAAP, however, Sandro Soriano, Jon Jacinto, and Dean Castaño were still present on the bench for Sunday’s game. Ateneo University President Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ was among those in attendance, joining a sizable crowd that came out to witness the new-look Blue Eagles.
The Blue Babble Battalion also provided its usual support from the stands.
Both teams observed a minute of silence before tip-off in honor of Adili and Baterbonia.
One-and-done recruit Travis Roberts led Ateneo with 17 points, while rookie Keiffer Alas added 12 as the Blue Eagles secured the 11-point victory over OLFU.
Mamadou Torre paced the Phoenix with a game-high 21 points.
The effects of Ateneo’s prolonged layoff were evident early, as OLFU took control behind Kieth Bencalo, who led all scorers with 10 points in the first half. The Phoenix held the lead for much of the opening two quarters.
Ateneo, however, quickly regained the upper hand with an 8-0 run in the second quarter to take a 35-33 lead into halftime.
The Blue Eagles then pulled away in the fourth quarter, with Roberts providing the hot shooting while Alas delivered a late-game surge.
Shawn Tuano missed the game due to Gilas 3×3 duties.
Ateneo outscored OLFU, 21-13, in the final frame to secure the victory and advance to the next round.
Ateneo’s previous game came 71 days ago, when it defeated Adamson University on June 6 in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup before withdrawing from the tournament.
The university’s Marketing and Communications Office also implemented strict media protocols for the game, barring members of the press from conducting interviews with the Blue Eagles.
The Scores:
Ateneo 71 – Roberts 17, Alas 12, Espina 9, Bahay 7, Espinosa 6, Leal 6, Rogers 6, Kapihe 5, Baruwa 3, Reyes 0, Cainglet 0, Asoro 0.
OLFU 60 – Toure 21, Bencalo 12, Labayen 6, Mecha 5, Suelto 5, Templonuevo 4, Mapua 3, Cruz 2, Satparam 2, Agapito 0, Melecio 0, Bayaca 0, Alfaro 0.
Quarterscores: 15-15, 35-33, 50-47, 71-60
