Ateneo opens title defense bid with victory over UP; FEU, NU, DLSU pick up wins in UAAP Season 84 opener

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) opened the men's basketball tournament for their 84th season on Saturday.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles opened their title defense bid with a 90-81 victory over the UP Fighting Maroons.

Dave Ildefonso led the Katipunan-based squad with 19 points while Raffy Verano had 18 points in their first win of the season, and the 27th straight for the blue-and-white since 2018. Ange Kouame had a triple-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Cansino, meanwhile, listed 21 points in his UP debut, while Carl Tamayo had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The FEU Tamaraws dominated the UST Growling Tigers, 76-51, with RJ Abarrientos making a solid debut for the Morayta squad. The former Gilas Pilipinas guard had 18 points in his first game. Joshua Fontanilla, on the other hand, also impressed in his UST debut with 19 points.

In the other games, the NU Bulldogs survived the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 71-69. Felicilda registered 14 points in his seniors' debut, while Didat Hanapi led the Falcons with 20 points. Veteran Jerom Lastimosa added 18 points in the losing effort.

The De La Salle Green Archers capped off the opening day action with a victory over the University of the East, 71-66. Schonny Winston tallied 22 markers, while Evan Nelle had 11 points in his La Salle debut. Nico Paranada and Harvey Pagsanajan had 13 points apiece in the loss.

UAAP action will be back on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

—JMB, GMA News