Ateneo de Manila University returned to winning ways, eliminating upset-seeking University of Santo Tomas from the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Final Four race after a 67-59 triumph on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles snapped their three-game losing streak to improve their record to 5-6 — half-a-game behind fourth-running Adamson Soaring Falcons, who will play the De La Salle Green Archers later tonight.

On the other hand, the also-ran Growling Tigers suffered their fourth straight loss fell to 1-10 in eighth place.

“We’re happy to end that losing streak, that’s for sure,” said the returning coach Tab Baldwin, who missed Ateneo’s last game against National University last Saturday due to illness. 

“I was really pleased today with our defense. We did a good job on Nic (Cabañero). He’s just a handful to try and defend (against) and to hold him down to 16 (points) on 33-percent shooting is a pretty good job,” the American-Kiwi tactician continued.

Kai Ballungay led the Blue Eagles with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and one assist while Chris Koon, who went just 4-of-13 from the field against National U the last time out, contributed 12 points on 10 attempts with six rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Ateneo, which led as much as 34-16 midway through the second quarter, allowed UST to creep back into the game in the second half. 

Cabañero, Christian Manaytay, Migs Pangilinan, and Kenji Duremdes linked up to trim the deficit to just 47-43 to make things interesting just before the payoff period.

However, the Growling Tigers failed to complete the comeback. 

Raffy Celis, Amos, and Chris Koon put the finishing touches to help the Blue Eagles ice the game with a 66-56 separation with a minute left in the game.

“We did enough offensively to win the game,” said Baldwin. “I think anybody that takes a chance on us shooting 20-percent from the three and giving us as many good looks as we got today might regret that.”

Jared Brown had 10 points for the Blue Eagles while Celis, who is a rookie out of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, contributed eight points, 11 rebounds, and three assists.

The Blue Eagles extended its streak over the Growling Tigers to 17 games starting from Season 78.

Ateneo will face Adamson University this Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Cabañero led UST with 16 points, 10 rebounds, seven rebounds, and three steals while Pangilinan contributed 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists.

Duremdes produced nine points and nine rebounds while Manaytay seized 10 rebounds despite being held to just two points on a 1-of-6 shooting clip for the Growling Tigers.

UST shall go against National University this Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Scores:

Ateneo 67 – Ballungay 15, Koon 12, Brown 10, Amos 8, Celis 8, Obasa 7, Nieto 3, Quitevis 2, Chiu 2, Credo 0, Lazaro 0, Espinosa 0, Gomez 0.  

UST 59 – Cabañero 16, Pangilinan 13, Duremdes 9, Manalang 6, Magdangal 5, Laure 4, Llemit 3, Manaytay 2, Calum 1, Crisostomo 0, Moore 0, Gesalem 0, Lazarte 0.

Quarterscores: 22-12, 43-29, 50-43, 67-59.