Ateneo de Manila University resurfaced after last June’s incident that claimed the lives of two players when it scored a 71-60 victory over Our Lady of Fatima in the Pinoyliga Cup The Big Dance on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

It marked the first time the Blue Eagles played in a preseason tournament since the tragic deaths of student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili during an ill-fated team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

It was also Ateneo’s first game under interim coach Louie Alas, who took over after Tab Baldwin’s resignation following the tragedy.

Alas, a three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association champion with Letran College, said he and the team were simply grateful to finally compete again after months of uncertainty.

“We didn’t talk postgame. We just praise God for allowing us to play. That’s it, honestly. And we’re very thankful,” Alas said in a short interview.

“I expected the struggle, early part. But the way we practiced the last two weeks, I said eventually you will cope with this.”

The Eagles had to shake off some rust as they engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle, holding only a slim 50-47 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Ateneo, however, broke the game open in the fourth, erupting for a 17-5 run capped by a layup from rookie Kieffer Alas with 3:22 remaining to take a 67-52 lead.

The Eagles never looked back from there.

Travis Roberts led Ateneo with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Alas added 12 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Mamadou Tore paced Our Lady of Fatima with 21 points and four rebounds in the losing effort.

Ateneo will face the winner between College of Saint Benilde and San Pedro College of Business Administration in the next round, with the date yet to be announced.