The Eagles provided early hint of a determined bid to finally achieve a championship dream with an 82-77 win over the National U Bulldogs in a rematch of one of the Final Four duels last year.
Earlier, the Maroons scored an upset right in the opening game of the tourney by pulling the rug from under the more fancied University of the East Warriors, 59-54.
The Maroons staged a daring chase from an eight-point halftime deficit in the third quarter, pulled ahead early in the fourth and averted an endgame collapse in toppling the Warriors.
"It’s the adjustments and the perseverance of the boys that did it. Somehow, our victory showed that no one is above anybody else in the UAAP this year," said UP coach Allan Gregorio.
The Eagles, on the other hand, came out strong and foiled the Bulldogs’ endgame rally, stretching a streak counting their triumphant finish in the last PBL tournament.
"The win is not so good but I can’t ask for anything more from the boys. NU is the host and its players are inspired," said Ateneo coach Joel Banal.