Noah Banal and Jay-m Leal combined for 36 points as Ateneo de Manila University rolled past archrival De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ), 80-65, to remain as the lone unbeaten team through three games in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 boys’ basketball tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Leal poured in 19 points to go with three rebounds, two assists, and one steal while Banal added 17 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two assists for the Blue Eagles, who seized sole possession of first place in the eight-team field.

Ateneo moved ahead of the pack following its third straight win and National University Nazareth School’s loss to Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-D) earlier in the day.

The victory also marked Ateneo’s first 3-0 start in UAAP boys’ basketball in seven years, dating back to Season 80 in 2018 when the SJ Belangel-led Blue Eagles swept the 14-game elimination round before outlasting the Bullpups in a three-game championship series.

In the day’s other matchup, Ethan Aguas and the University of the East (UE) overcame a 32-point explosion from Jhustin Hallare, carving out a 92-72 victory to improve to 2-1 and grab a share of second place alongside NUNS and FEU-D.

Ateneo remained perfect under new head coach Bacon Austria, with the son of a PBA mentor choosing to keep his focus squarely on the present.

“To be honest, I just focused on the first game against UE then I always tell them na we need a good start and we need to take everything one game at a time. Remember that we came from a seventh-place finish last year,” Austria said.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time. We reset every game. It’s early, but it’s hard to be on top and it’s harder to stay on top. I think the mindset every game is 0-0.”

The Blue Eagles took control from the opening tip, riding a strong 28-16 first-quarter showing — where Leal and Banal scored 11 points apiece — before following it up with a 16-8 second-quarter run to turn a slim nine-point lead into a commanding 46-29 halftime cushion.

From there, Ateneo stayed firmly in the driver’s seat as a Zane Kallos layup and a Banal midrange jumper stretched the lead to 59-35, before the Blue Eagles settled for an insurmountable 20-point advantage, 63-43, entering the payoff period.

The Junior Archers mounted a spirited comeback in the fourth quarter behind a Maco Dabao layup and back-to-back triples from Champ Arejola and Kio Favis that trimmed the deficit to 72-59. However, timely baskets from YJ Lacsamana, Leal, and Kallos quickly snuffed out the rally and sealed Ateneo’s third consecutive win.

Kallos delivered an all-around effort with 11 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Espinas also scored 11 points to go with three rebounds, two steals and one assist.

Nigerian center Jude Eriobu was limited to nine points on 3-of-8 shooting but made his presence felt on the glass with 17 rebounds and two steals. Lacsamana finished with seven points and five rebounds.