La Salle beats Ateneo 83-76 for second consecutive victory
Joaquin Tovera and JC Macalalag scored 15 points each as the Green Archers moved level with the Blue Eagles on 3-2 records.
La Salle used a fourth-quarter surge to defeat Ateneo 83-76 in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball on October 7, 2026, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The result gave the Green Archers consecutive victories and left both sides with 3-2 win-loss records.
Joaquin Tovera and JC Macalalag led La Salle’s scoring with 15 points each. Jacob Cortez contributed 12, including eight after half-time, while Doy Dungo finished with 10.
The Green Archers entered the final quarter ahead 63-62 and extended their advantage to 72-64 with a Macalalag three-pointer. Ateneo responded with six unanswered points, ending with a Grayson Rogers basket and free throw that brought the Blue Eagles within two.
Free throws from Tovera and Macalalag and a Mason Amos three-pointer then put La Salle ahead 80-70 with 3:04 left. After Shawn Tuano scored a layup, Cortez hit another three-pointer to make it 83-72. Ateneo’s late scoring was not enough to overturn the deficit.
Tuano led Ateneo with 17 points, five steals and two rebounds, while Jared Bahay scored 14. In his first collegiate meeting between the teams, Kieffer Alas recorded five points on 2-of-11 shooting, six rebounds and two assists.
