The Ateneo Blue Eagles finished UAAP Season 87 with a 1-6 record. They are in danger of missing the Final Four for the first time since Season 76.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles, currently sharing the bottom of the standings with the FEU Tamaraws at 1-6, are in desperate need of a turnaround as they face the NU Bulldogs this Sunday, October 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The matchup marks the opening weekend of Round 2 in UAAP Season 87.
And for Ateneo, it's an opportunity to hit the reset button after a challenging first round.
Ateneo’s season has been marred by struggles on both ends of the court, highlighted in their previous matchup against NU, where they fell 78-68 on October 5.
In Round 1, the Blue Eagles made only 33.11% of their field goals, the lowest among the eight competing schools. Their rebounding woes were also evident, as they ranked last in the league with 36.86 rebounds per game.
Adding to their frustrations, Ateneo has been plagued by turnovers, leading the league with 10.86 per game.
However, the Blue Eagles have managed to limit the damage, allowing the fewest turnover points in the league with only 9.0 points per game resulting from their mistakes.
Despite their struggles, there are still bright spots for Ateneo, particularly on the defensive end.
The Blue Eagles have been stingy on the perimeter, allowing the least amount of three-point shots made by their opponents (22.29 points per game from beyond the arc). Ateneo’s defense has also been bolstered by their ability to limit steals from the opposition, ranking #1 with only 3.86 steals allowed per game.
Individually, Shawn Tuano has been a consistent performer, ranking eighth among the league’s top scorers with 11.14 points per game. Jared Bahay, Ateneo’s floor general, is currently fourth in assists with 4.86 per game, while Ian Espinosa ranks seventh in steals, with eight total.
If Ateneo is to avoid missing the Final Four for the first time since Season 76 (2013), they must capitalize on these defensive strengths while finding their offensive rhythm. Round 2 provides a fresh start, and the Blue Eagles need to bring their best as they face an all-Filipino NU squad aiming for a series sweep.
[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]