DETERMINATION drove the AdNU Golden Knights in their second game victory against the Mariners Blue Dolphins, 77-70, in an intense, thrilling match of the Bicol Universities and Colleges Athletic League (BUCAL) Season 8 Seniors’ Division, on 30 August 2026, at the UNC Sports Palace.
The first ball possession went to the side of Ateneo, and Judd Tino scored the first three points for the team. Within the first 3 minutes of the quarter, the Mariners struggled to score in the match, as the Golden Knights showcased their offensive strategy and solid defensive play.
The momentum continued with back-to-back three-pointers from the AGK, followed by Angelo Domingo blocking the Blue Dolphins' attempted response. Names of Jade Guarin and John Francis Ranin also contributed to the triumph of the quarter, 16-14.
Francisco got the first three-pointer for the Blue Dolphins at the start of the second quarter, but the Golden Knights responded once again with a three-point shot from Domingo. John Bernard Basagre provided shots from the free throw line, but Alano took over the two points with a rebound for the MPCF, passing through the mighty guards of AdNU.
Christian Joseph Panis of Blue Dolphins scored a three-pointer, but Ranin responded of the same page to register the biggest gap in the second quarter. With AdNU leading the match at 37-24, Juan Karlo Corporal led the Blue Dolphins' awakening towards the end of the second quarter with back-to-back three-pointers.
Entering the second half, AdNU held an 11-point lead, with Tino scoring an additional two to extend it to 13. The defensive game of the Golden Knights went to full force in the third quarter, partnered by their offense from Ranin to log a 16-point margin, 48-32.
JC Claro, Basagre, and Ranin teamed up to contribute a high number of points for the Golden Knights, bringing the score to 59-52 with Ateneo in the lead.
The Mariners Blue Dolphins narrowed the Ateneo Golden Knights' lead with the help of Ryan Teoxon and Francisco. However, the Golden Knights poised to maintain the advantage of seven points in the last quarter.
A series of lead changes happened in the fourth quarter, but the Golden Knights remained unfazed and concluded the game with a score of 77-70.
Ranin was hailed as the Player of the Game with 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals.
In a post-game interview, he shared the AGK's plans for the upcoming games. "We're gonna focus on our defense, specifically in our communication, and of course in our offense because we are scrambling a lot in set plays."
Meanwhile, High Impact Player of the Game JC Claro mentioned his mindset coming into this game.
“First of all, since wala ako nung first game, ang nasa isip ko lang is maka-contribute sa team at mabawi namin yung pagkatalo namin sa last game, at nag-focus pa kami this time."
With the result of today's match, the Golden Knights climbed to the Senior's Division ranking with a 1-1 record.
