Ateneo de Manila University continued its improbable run in the PinoyLiga Cup The Big Dance after surviving College of St. Benilde, 81-78, at the Blue Eagle Gym on Sunday.

Rookie Kieffer Alas starred for the 21st-seeded Blue Eagles, erupting for 26 points, three rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block to power the upset over the fifth-seeded Blazers.

Ateneo appeared to be in control after building a 79-75 lead with 15.7 seconds left, but Jhomel Ancheta buried a crucial triple to pull St. Benilde within one and keep its hopes alive.

But Alas once again answered the call.

The prized rookie scored off a forced turnover before hustling back on defense in the dying seconds to help the Blue Eagles preserve the three-point victory.

Travis Roberts added 16 points for Ateneo, which continued to compete shorthanded without veterans Shawn Tuano and Andrew Bongo.

Tuano and Bongo are currently with the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 team competing in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League-Asia Southeast Asia Conference.

Matthew Jucom paced the Blazers with 19 points, but his effort was not enough to prevent St. Benilde from falling to the surging Eagles.