Ateneo Blue Eagles soar past Benilde Blazers, Alas secures advance to the Elite Eight

BLUE EAGLE GYM, KATIPUNAN – The Ateneo Blue Eagles secured their advance to the Elite Eight after show-stopping game against the Benilde Blazers, defeating the Green-and-White 81-78 on Sunday, August 23, 2026 during the Pinoyliga: The Big Dance pre-season tournament.

The first quarter was fairly experimental for Ateneo, who was the 21st-seeded team in the tournament. Despite their undeniable star power and individual presence in the paint, fifth-seed team Benilde’s strong team chemistry ultimately instrumented their strategic outside shooting, giving the Blazers at peak a 13-point lead before halftime. 

The Eagles, however, responded in quick. With rookie Kieffer Alas leading the charge, the guard pulled off a 21-7 run for the Blue-and-White, scoring 9 points himself. His ballhandling skills further set the pace back in the Eagles’ den, securing a crucial three-point shot that finally put Ateneo in the lead, at 56-55. 

Ateneo continued to increase court pressure with the presence of Travis Roberts, who ended the game with 16 points. By the end of the first half, the Blue-and-White seemed to have it down to a science, consistently strengthening their momentum to keep the Blazers in check.

Benilde’s performance in the second half, however, exposed some defensive weaknesses in the Eagles. The game hung in the balance, with Jhomel Ancheta sinking a crucial triple, which brought the Blazers to a single-digit deficit at 79-78 with 15.7 seconds left in the game. Despite their best efforts, they simply fell short against Ateneo, with Bahay securing the ball off of a forced turnover and Alas scoring the game-winning bucket

Alas scored a total of 16 points, three rebounds, a steal, and a block to secure the upset. 

Notably, teams were missing key players; with Ateneo lacking veterans Shawn Tuano and Andrew Bongo, while Benilde deeply feeling the absence of Allen Liwag on the bench. 

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With their Elite Eight berth already secured, the Ateneo Blue Eagles now await their next opponent. That spot will be decided tomorrow, as the Mapua Cardinals and Adamson Soaring Falcons battle it out in a crucial Sweet 16 matchup at the EAC Gym, with tip-off set for 12:30 PM.

The Blue Eagles will then return to action this Saturday, August 29, 2026, for their Elite Eight matchup at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.