By: Joaquin Cortez

University of Santo Tomas is bracing for a determined Ateneo de Manila University fightback when the two squads collide in a crucial UAAP Season 89 collegiate men’s basketball showdown at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday.

The Growling Tigers have every reason to expect a fierce challenge from the Blue Eagles, who will be out to settle old scores after falling to UST in an epic triple-overtime thriller last year.

On October 11, 2025, the Tigers outlasted Ateneo, 98-89, in a marathon encounter at the Blue Eagle Gym, dealing the Blue Eagles a painful defeat on their home floor.

UST also got the better of Ateneo in their most recent meeting in the Pinoyliga Big Dance semifinals on August 31, 2026. It earned a 76-68 victory to end the Blue Eagles’ dream run in their first preseason tournament since the Dipaculao tragedy.

With another chapter of their rivalry looming, UST big man Collins Akowe is expecting Ateneo to come out swinging, although he is keeping his focus on what the Growling Tigers need to do on their home court.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

“Nothing to think about; it’s just basketball. But at the same time, I hope the UST community comes out to support us, because you know, it’s our home court and hopefully we get a win there,” Akowe said.

The Tigers will enter the matchup with renewed confidence after snapping a three-game losing streak with an 81-69 victory last Wednesday. The result improved their record to 3-3 and gave them a chance to close the first round on a winning note.

UST, however, cannot afford to let its recent breakthrough turn into complacency, especially against an Ateneo side eager to regain its footing after consecutive defeats.

The Blue Eagles are likewise carrying a 3-3 record but will be looking to snap their own two-game skid before the end of the first round.

Ateneo will also welcome back head coach Louie Alas, who is set to return to the sidelines after serving a one-game suspension.

With Alas back calling the shots, the Blue Eagles will look to regain their footing and spoil UST’s homecoming while seeking revenge for their previous setbacks against the Growling Tigers.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

UST, meanwhile, knows that home-court advantage alone will not guarantee another victory against its familiar rival.

The Growling Tigers have also been reminded of the challenge of facing Ateneo at the QPav.

Mark Llemit recalled their previous encounter at the venue on October 19, 2024, when the Blue Eagles escaped with a narrow 67-64 win.

“Talo kami sa Ateneo noong homecourt ng UST. So ‘yun, paghahandaan namin ‘yun this Saturday,” Llemit said.

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ANTIPOLO — Phoenix Super LPG became the latest to punch a quarterfinal ticket in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup following a 105-101 come-from-behind victory over Meralco at the Ynares Center here on Friday night.

The Fuel Masters turned the game around early in the final period after trailing by as much as 13 points before putting together the decisive 9-0 run toward a 101-91 lead with 2:37 to spare, practically putting the game out of reach.

Eventually, Coach Charles Tiu & Co. would complete a group-phase sweep of the Bolts, in the process improving to 5-3 to break a tie and overtake Rain or Shine (4-3)—for now—at the second spot of a truly competitive Group B.

(C) PBA Images

Phoenix has also become just the second team from the pool to reach the final eight after current leaders Magnolia, which punched its ticket following a 112-93 rout of Barangay Ginebra in their Manila Clasico rematch last Sunday.

And it could earn a better seeding for the playoffs’ first round should it take care of business against the in-danger Kings this Sunday, still in this venue. The crowd darlings are currently tied at fifth with Blackwater with 3-5 cards.

“Hopefully we can still go for the win sa last two games for a better seed,” said Tiu as they will finish their eliminations against the Elasto Painters on Oct. 23.

Rivero led the Fuel Masters with 26 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. New import Marcellus Earlington finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds plus five assists as he led their strong fourth-quarter attack to top Meralco.

BJ Johnson’s replacement scored 14 in the said period, almost scoring half of the team’s total output as the crew poured in 31 to finish the bout.

Earlington was also part of the crew that put together the aforementioned rally to put it away, knocking down a big triple for the 99-91 lead with 3:06 left.

Also contributing to that assault was Kai Ballungay, who wound up with 17 points. Kenneth Tuffin delivered a double-double of his own with 16 and 10, while Gian Mamuyac and Tyler Tio added 13 and 10 markers, respectively.

“We challenged the team that this is not the team that we know. It’s basically about not being soft. We’re acting as if we would not get eliminated if we don’t get the win. That’s the challenge,” said Tiu about their second-half fightback.

(C) PBA Images

Jordon Varnado had 36 points and seven rebounds plus four assists to lead the Bolts, who finished the group stage with a 4-6 record and will now have to wait whether or not they could salvage a spot in the playoffs.

CJ Cansino made 18 points and five rebounds while Bong Quinto and Jason Brickman added at least 10 each in the loss that’s indeed tough for a squad that has reached the semifinals of the previous two conferences this season.

The Scores:

Phoenix Super LPG 105 – Rivero 26, Earlington 20, Ballungay 17, Tuffin 16, Mamuyac 13, Tio 10, Delos Santos 2, Escandor 1, Chua 0, Ando 0, Santos 0.

Meralco 101 – Varnado 36, Cansino 18, Quinto 14, Brickman 10, Newsome 7, Hodge 6, Banchero 6, Bates 4. Mocon 0.

Quarterscores: 20-27, 42-52, 74-76, 105-101.

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By: Joaquin Cortez

Without star guard Titing Manalili, Colegio de San Juan de Letran found a way to keep its offense flowing as the Knights fended off Jose Rizal University, 70-66, to snap a two-game losing streak in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

With Manalili sidelined while recovering from a knee injury, Letran relied on a collective playmaking effort to secure its first victory since losing its starting point guard and bounce back from a heartbreaking overtime defeat to Mapúa University on Monday.

Chad Gammad spearheaded the Knights’ offense with 21 points, including four three-pointers, and acknowledged that Manalili’s absence forced the team to make significant adjustments to its offensive execution.

“After Titing’s injury, we had to adjust big time on our execution a lot. Kasi pag nandoon si Titing, parang flowing lang talaga offense namin at wala talagang putol. We really had to adjust on that in practice,” Gammad said.

Letran responded by spreading its playmaking responsibilities across the lineup, with all five starters recording at least two assists against the Bombers.

Nat Montecillo, who took over as the starting point guard in Manalili’s absence, led the Knights with four assists. Gammad, Denzil Walker, and Justin Cargo added three assists apiece, while Jimboy Estrada chipped in with three more off the bench.

Despite being sidelined, Manalili remained involved in helping his teammates adjust, offering guidance on their offensive reads during timeouts.

“Talagang ini-involve niya talaga ang sarili niya, which is pinag-uusapan namin na kapag may nakita siya, sabihin mo sa akin. So, ayun, nag-click naman,” Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said.

“Not just yung assistant coaches ko, but si Jonathan, iba rin ‘yung timpla niya sa teammates niya na kung sino dapat hanapin,” he added.

Despite their improved offensive execution, the Knights continued to struggle at the free-throw line, converting just 24 of 38 attempts against JRU for a 63.2 percent clip.

Estrada, however, delivered when it mattered most, sinking the game-sealing free throws in the final second to preserve Letran’s four-point victory.

Ricardo said the Knights have devoted additional practice time to improving their free-throw shooting, even shortening regular team sessions to make room for extra work at the line.

“Speaking of free throws, binibigyan ko sila ng more than one hour to take free throws. Medyo cinu-cut down ko rin ang team practices namin to practice their free throws. Medyo masama pa rin pero yung most important thing pa rin is yung dulo,” Ricardo said.

With six games remaining in the elimination round, Ricardo stressed the importance of maintaining the team’s improved execution while gradually building toward its desired form for the playoffs.

“Of course, I am happy na kahit wala si Jonathan, nakaka-execute na ang mga guards namin. Pag naaalis sila, nasusunod pa rin ang gusto kong mangyari offensively, defensively, and I am happy with that,” Ricardo said.

“We needed this win kasi we only have the last six games. So, we’re thinking one game at a time, but we really needed this win para makuha namin yung tamang peak going to the playoffs.”

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