NO-QUIT DLSZ SENDS UST TO 1-3 START TO TITLE DEFENSE

KEN Atienza and Maco Dabao came up big in the clutch, hitting crucial baskets that sealed De La Salle Zobel’s 72-67 upset of defending champion University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 boys' basketball tournament, Wednesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Wacky Ludovice’s triple gave the Tiger Cubs a brief 65-64 lead with 2:18 remaining, but Atienza answered with an and-one layup. Dabao then drove the full length of the court for an inside hit that restored the Jr. Archers' 69-65 lead with 48.1 seconds left.

UST stayed close, as Jetlee Melano made a free throw to trim the deficit to 69-66 with 35.3 seconds left, but Dabao showed composure from the charity stripe, sinking three of four free throws to secure DLSZ's return to the win column now at 2-2.

Beyond Dabao and Atienza’s heroics, the Jr. Archers held the Tiger Cubs to a woeful 20-of-62 (32.3-percent) shooting clip, while also forcing 13 turnovers and recording 22 assists.

"We had to respect them. Sabi ko nga nung second half, defending champions ‘yan. We know where the ball is gonna go. We know [Kirk] Canete and Ludovice will have their touches, so we just can’t limit those two. Kailangan yung other guys, like [Jetlee] Melano and [Charles] Esteban, ma-limit din," said new head coach Gian Nazario.

Dabao led the Jr. Archers with 18 points, five rebounds, and one steal, while Atienza added 11 points, six assists, four rebounds, one steal, and one block. Nigerian center Yusuf Mikailu contributed 10 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks, and two assists, as Kio Favis and Mark Borrero added nine points each.

Ludovice paced UST (1-3) with 25 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Nigerian center Ola Ajani added 10 points and eight rebounds. Skipper Cañete finished with eight points, nine assists, three rebounds, and two steals before fouling out with 4.7 seconds left.

The Scores:

First Game:

DLSZ 72 - Dabao 18, Atienza 11, Mikailu 10, Favis 9, Borrero 9, Arejola 7, Luna 4, Tan 2, Alpapara 2, Llamas 0, Dimayuga 0.

UST 67 - Ludovice 25, Ajani 10, Canete 8, Melano 8, Esteban 5, Sta. Maria 4, Bathan 2, Lapastora 2, Pulongbarit 2, Canapi 1, Candare 0, Vidanes 0, Bandigan 0.

Quarters: 24-17, 38-35, 52-50, 72-67.

2026-01-22T10:15:09Z