ATENEO De Manila University outlasted La Salle Greenhills in a much-anticipated Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL) matchup that lived up to its billing, to say the least.

The Blue Eagles got one over the Greenies, 85-83, during their rivalry bout on Sunday at the Tanduay Gym in Manila, and leading the way for ADMU was World Balance Player of the Game Ethan Kaw.

“Of course, yung rivalry is there,” said Kaw, who had 14 points, two rebounds, and a block in the league that is presented by URATEX, Jollibee, Strong Group Athletics, and in partnership with JETOUR, World Balance, and Molten as official game ball.

“But we treated this like a normal game. We did our job, and we executed our plays. I’m happy that we pulled out this win. It shows that our hard work and determination paid off,” added the young ace.

The historic Ateneo-La Salle indeed extended in the NGBL for the two teams went wire-to-wire in the fourth frame as when LSGH was down by one, 79-78, Guillian Quines hit a tough mid-range jumper to overtake their counterparts by one at the 1:20 mark.

Kaw then retaliated with four straight points that included a long-range jumper with only 38 ticks left in the contest, while Chris Urbina went 50 percent from the 15-foot-line to create an 84-80 cushion with only 22 on the game clock.

Gian Gomez answered with a triple to get the Greenies to within one, 84-83, but that was the closest that they could get as Ateneo escaped with their second in in four games in the league that is supported by Team Rebel Sports Pilipinas as official league outfitter, RICA UPVC Aluminum Glass and Trading Corp., Verleo Catering as official caterer, and Tanduay Athletics.

On the other hand, James Ison led La Salle with 19 markers, while Quines and Arle Podador had 16 points each.

Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas is a win away from officially clinching a playoff spot in the league that is also supported by MET Food Corporation, official hydration Natural Drinking Water, Converge as official internet provider, and Crocs.

The Tiger Cubs dominated MGC New Life Christian Academy, 134-45, with the España-based team resetting the NGBL’s new tournament high which was previously held by University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and Lyceum of the Philippines University — 105.

The Manu Iñigo-mentored team, whose boys also set the tournament’s biggest winning margin at 89, was led by Ron Jay Catalan who had 23 points, three assists, two rebounds, and two steals.

“Nung second quarter, sabi ni coach na dumepensa lang kami. Sinabi niya lang rin na mag stick kami sa sistema namin,” said Catalan pertaining to their impressive second quarter surge.

Already ahead by double digits, 27-14, after the first 10 minutes of action, the Tiger Cubs entered new heights and ousted a 38-to-10 second frame showing over the still-winless New Lifers.

They even pushed the pedal further in the third quarter by scoring 37 points while limiting MGC to only eight, and that was all that UST needed as they even led by 91, 134-43, right before Adam Uy’s last basket in the fourth.

Uy, as well as Trey Chua, contributed 11 for MGC, while top-scoring for them was Adrian Tan with 13.

The scores

First game:

FEU-D 90 — Pascual 15, Rañeses 10, Esperanza 9, Godoy 9, Hall 8, Maierhofer 8, De Guzman 7, Dagcutan 6, Gemao 5, Santos 4, Ramos 4, Castillejos 3, Gutierrez 2
LPU 64 — Julio 19, Panerio 12, Dag-um 10, Conde 8, Melchor 7, Bo 3, Pelayo 2, Enguio 2, Abrantes 1, Creus 2, Peña 0, Yonzon 0, Tumo 0, Nodalo 0, Mercado 0
Quarterscores: 21-6, 50-24, 63-43, 90-64

Second game:

Ateneo 85 — Leal 15, Tan 14, Kaw 14, Espinas 7, Asistio 6, Aquino 6, Delos Santos 5, Gatmaitan 5, Urbina 6, Ymasa 3, Trinidad 2, Silvestre 2, Reyes 0.
LSGH 83 — Ison 19, Quines 16, Podador 16, Gomez 8, Ortega 6, Osis 6, Sharma 6, Bautista 3, Natividad 2, Yutuc 1, Calanasan 0, Peralta 0, Tud 0.
Quarterscores: 24-18, 42-42, 60-57, 85-83

Third game:

UST 134 — Catalan 23, Buenaflor 13, Cinco 12, Kane 12, Solon 12, Bucsit 11, Cañete 10, Acido 9, Loreto 9, Javier 8, Bohol 6, Bandigan 5, Vidanes 4.
MGCNLCA 45 — A. Tan 13, Chua 11, Uy 11, Ja. Tan 4, Panganiban 2, Ty 2, Liao 2, Hui 0, Sotingco 0, Chan 0, Co 0, Sy 0.
Quarterscores: 21-4, 50-24, 63-43, 90-64.