NU takes down Ateneo in UAAP Season 86 opening day

National University took down defending champions Ateneo de Manila University, 77-64, in the opening day of UAAP Season 86 on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Patrick Yu led the Bulldogs with 12 points while Steve Nash Enriquez had 10 points as NU dealt the Blue Eagles their first opening game loss since 2018.

Gab Gomez and Sean Quitevis posted 12 points apiece, while Ian Espinosa had 10 points for the Katipunan-based squad.

"Siguro nakachamba kami against a stronger team. We now shift our focus to FEU. Itong panalong ito wala namang silbi ito... it's just a win," NU head coach Jeff Napa said. 

(Perhaps we were just lucky against a stronger team. We now shift our focus to FEU. This win means nothing yet, it's just a win.)

Earlier, host school University of the East defeated the rebuilding University of Santo Tomas, 80-70.

UAAP action will continue on Sunday as De La Salle University goes against Far Eastern University while the University of the Philippines will face the University of the Philippines at the Mall of Asia Arena.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News