UST Defeats Ateneo, Sets Up Final Push For The Pinoyliga The Big Dance Crown

The No. 1-seeded UST Growling Tigers weathered a wild semifinal battle against the Rank #21 Ateneo Blue Eagles, pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 76-68 victory on Monday, August 31 at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in the Final Four match of the Pinoyliga The Big Dance 2026.

The Tigers looked ready to take control early, building a 16-11 lead in the opening quarter. Ateneo answered with a 4-0 run to trim the gap. The Tigers quickly regained their footing, firing back with an 8-0 run to stretch their lead and put the Blue Eagles on the back foot.

The second quarter looked like it would belong entirely to UST.

With Collins Akowe controlling the paint, the Tigers built a commanding 38-20 cushion. Akowe repeatedly gave UST an advantage inside, helping the top seed establish its biggest lead of the night.

But Ateneo refused to let the semifinal get away.

The Blue Eagles completely flipped the script with a massive 22-2 run, wiping out UST’s 18-point advantage and finally taking their first lead of the game on a basket by Grayson Rogers. What looked like UST’s game suddenly became anyone’s to take.

Mark Llemit made sure the Tigers would not enter halftime trailing. His basket reclaimed the lead for UST, sending the Tigers into the break ahead, 43-42.

The third quarter brought the most heated stretch of the contest. Both teams tightened their defensive schemes, while their shot selection improved as the stakes continued to rise. The lead changed hands in a quarter where neither side could find enough breathing room.

Ateneo eventually found another opening when Kieffer Alas knocked down a three-pointer with 1:26 remaining in the quarter, giving the Blue Eagles a 56-52 lead.

UST once again had a response. The Tigers closed the quarter with a 6-2 run, leveling the game at 58-all and setting up a decisive fourth.

All that was left was to settle it.

UST barged into the final quarter with its strongest stretch of the night, building a 71-61 lead and finally creating the separation it had been searching for. This time, Ateneo could not find another run to bring the game back within reach.

And fittingly, the final word belonged to UST. Koji Buenaflor put an exclamation point on the Tigers’ semifinal victory with a late slam, sealing the 76-68 win and sending UST into the championship round.

Akowe finished with 21 points, six rebounds, and two steals, while Llemit posted 19 points and six boards and was named Player of the Game. Kirk Cañete contributed eight points, five rebounds, and five assists. Ateneo was led by Kieffer Alas with 13 points, while Andrew Bongo added 10.

The Final Four is over, but the real prize is still up for grabs.

UST will face Rank #22 Precious Momowei-led CEU Scorpions in the Pinoyliga The Big Dance 2026 Finals on Thursday, September 3, 4PM at the Filoil Ecooil Center.

SCORES:

UST: 76 – Akowe 21, Llemit 19, Canete 8, Buenaflor 7, Jumawan 5, Danting 4, Acido 3, Bucsit 3, Porter 2, Alao 2, Esteban 2, Abellar 0.

Ateneo: 68 – Alas 13, Bongo 10, Tunao 9, Kapihe 8, Roberts 6, Leal 6, Bahay 5, Baruwa 5, Espinosa 4, Rogers 2.

Quarterscores: 24-18, 43-42, 58-58, 76-68.