Ateneo de Manila University survived a furious fourth-quarter rally to escape with a 73-68 win over Adamson University, Saturday in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The win pushed the Blue Eagles to 2-1, bouncing back from a lopsided loss to the University of the Philippines last week. Getting there was far from easy.

Adamson’s Late Surge Puts Ateneo On Notice

Ateneo built what looked like a comfortable cushion after a Travis Roberts jumper made it 65-52 with 4:15 remaining in regulation. That lead, however, would prove far shakier than the score line suggested.

Adamson answered immediately with a 9-2 run, capped by a Ray Allen Torres three-pointer that trimmed the deficit to 67-61 with 1:41 left on the clock. The Soaring Falcons had suddenly turned a blowout into a genuine fourth-quarter fight.

Jared Bahay refused to let the lead slip away, taking over down the stretch for the Blue Eagles. He scored Ateneo’s final six points of the game, mixing a clutch basket with a perfect 4-for-4 trip to the free-throw line.

Bahay’s Clutch Free Throws Seal Ateneo’s Win

Adamson still had one more push left, as an Earl Medina jumper with 11 seconds remaining cut the gap to 71-66. It was not enough, as Bahay’s free throws in the closing seconds sealed the 73-68 final.

Bahay finished with a team-high 18 points to go with six rebounds and five assists, powering Ateneo through Adamson’s late surge. Roberts backed him up with 14 points, while Ian Espinosa chipped in 10 for the Blue Eagles.

Precious Jonah led all Adamson scorers with 17 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, and two assists in the losing effort. Torres and Mat Edding each added 12 points, while Medina finished with seven points on a rough 1-for-7 shooting night from three-point range.

The loss dropped Adamson to 1-1 on the young UAAP Season 89 campaign. Ateneo, meanwhile, will look to build on the momentum from Bahay’s clutch performance as it continues its push through the men’s basketball tournament.