QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The University of the East (UE) finally brought its two-year slump to an end, while the University of the Philippines (UP) secured its ticket to the semifinals following an action-packed Saturday in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Red Warriors put up a stellar defensive wall in the final period—holding Adamson University to just three points—to carve out a gritty 53-47 victory. The triumph snapped UE’s grueling 30-game losing skid, marking the program’s first win since October 2024.
Clutch baskets down the stretch from Toper Lagat and a decisive putback by JM Edokou with 18.5 seconds remaining sealed the milestone win for UE, lifting them to a 1-10 record. Mo Tañedo and Lagat paced the Red Warriors with 14 points each, while Edokou posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Adamson, paced by Manu Anabo’s 12 points, dropped to 7th place at 4-7, further complicating its semifinal aspirations.
Meanwhile, UP kept its dominant campaign rolling by fighting back from an early 12-point deficit to outlast Katipunan neighbor Ateneo de Manila University, 82-74.
The victory stretched the Fighting Maroons’ winning streak to seven games, improving their record to 9-2 and punching their ticket to the Final Four for the sixth straight season under head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
“Always happy kasi syempre unang goal namin is to reach the Final Four,” Monteverde said. “We’re very happy with this win today. Nabigyan kami ng challenge and credit to these guys on how they responded during the game when it really counts.”
Veejay Pre led the Maroons with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Elliot Dimaculangan and Rainer Maga chipped in 13 points apiece. Ateneo was led by Kieffer Alas with 14 points, while Jared Bahay added 13. The loss dropped the Blue Eagles to 5-6 in fifth place.
Emotions also flared briefly after the final buzzer when a late play sparked a verbal and physical skirmish between players and coaching staff before officials intervened.
Ateneo aims to bounce back against Adamson on November 11, while UP holds a week-long break before facing Far Eastern University on November 14.