Kieffer Alas debuts with a bang as Blue Eagles begin new era with beatdown of Red Warriors

MANILA, Philippines -- Allow him to reintroduce himself.

Kieffer Alas showed out in his UAAP seniors’ debut, exploding for 24 points to carry the Ateneo Blue Eagles past the University of the East Red Warriors, 101-74, in their Season 89 opener Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Exactly 100 days since the team building tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora that claimed the lives of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, Ateneo ushered in the post-Tab Baldwin era with a dominant win over the lowly Red Warriors. 

In the front and center of it all was Alas, who scored 19 in the first half alone.

The point guard, son of interim Ateneo coach Louie Alas, shot 8-of-16 from the field, to go with four rebounds and an assist for the Blue Eagles, who had "DA | RB” patch on their jerseys to commemorate Adili and Baterbonia.

Alas came out the gates waxing hot, scoring 19 in the first two quarters as the Blue Eagles took a 56-39 advantage. 

Ateneo did not let up, continuing to push the pace in the second half as their lead grew to as much as 38 points, 93-55, after a trey by Mike Asoro. 

Jared Bahay added 17 markers, two boards and two dimes for the winning team. Grayson Rogers chipped in 12. 

Toper Lagat paced UE with 15 points, while JM Edoukou and Cole Cruz-Dumont had 14 each. 

The Red Warriors suffered their 20th straight defeat in the UAAP.

The squad lost its last five games of Season 87 and finished winless last season. 

Both teams will return to action this Saturday. UE will try to bounce back against National University, while Ateneo will face University of the Philippines. 

The games will be played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.