Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Blue Eagles have sent their rivals crashing down to earth.
Ateneo de Manila University throttled the Green Archers, 83-71, to tarnish La Salle’s previously unblemished record in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 79 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
Aaron Black and Matt Nieto led Ateneo with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
The Blue Eagles started off the game on the front foot, outclassing their rivals in the opening frame 23-16.
The Lasallians tried to reverse their fortunes before the halftime break, but found themselves in a 29-19 hole in the second quarter.
The Eagles held on to their advantage and took a 44-36 lead into the halftime break.
La Salle’s fortunes did not turn in the second half, with Ateneo going on an 8-0 run to pull away 54-43 in the third frame.
Ateneo asserted their dominance in the final frame, leaving the result beyond doubt and completing the upset.
Jeron Teng and Ben Mbala paced the Green Archers in the losing effort with 18 and 17 points, respectively.
“When it’s Ateneo-La Salle the standings don’t matter, but we will be realistic. We got an upset,” said Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
“We just played a very good game, we have to give credit to our players who stuck to the game plan. They displayed a lot of heart in this game.”
Ateneo improved their record to 7-4, while La Salle slid down to a 12-1 win-loss slate.
The Blue Eagles will look to build on their victory against the FEU Tamaraws on Nov. 9.
La Salle will also face the Tamaraws as they try to bounce back from the loss on Nov. 12.
