Finally, Eagles out of woods

MANILA, Philippines —  Ateneo snapped a costly five-game funk and kept University of the East winless via a 78-74 comeback win to revive its Final Four hopes in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Blue Eagles unleashed a 12-3 closeout to dodge a massive upset from the Red Warriors on a 15-game losing spell since last season. Ateneo got back on track at 5-5 after going winless in the entire month since an 81-74 win over La Salle for a 4-0 start.

Ateneo, eyeing redemption this year after a cellar 4-10 finish in Season 87, tied Adamson at fifth to knock on the Final Four door currently occupied by National U (8-2), titleholder UP (6-3), La Salle (6-4) and Santo Tomas (5-4).

Gilas Pilipinas-bound forward Kymani Ladi posted 16 points and nine rebounds while while Divine Adili returned from a three-game absence due to a back injury with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

In the main game, Harold Alarcon scored the team’s last eight points as reigning champion University of the Philippines (7-3) got payback on first-round tormentor Santo Tomas (5-5), 89-88, to firm up the grip on second place in the exciting race to the Final Four.