Kieffer Alas stars as Ateneo storms back to beat Benilde

STAR. Kieffer Alas in action for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the 2026 Pinoyliga Cup.

Pinoyliga Cup YouTube screenshot

Kieffer Alas leads all scorers as the Ateneo Blue Eagles erase a 13-point deficit against the St. Benilde Blazers to advance to the Elite Eight of the Pinoyliga Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Kieffer Alas delivered the big hits and lifted Ateneo to a come-from-behind 81-78 win over St. Benilde in the Sweet 16 of the Pinoyliga Cup at the Blue Eagle Gym on Sunday, August 23.

Alas finished with 26 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists as the Blue Eagles stormed back from 13 points down to advance to the Elite Eight.

The Blazers led 48-35 before Ateneo rode on a 21-7 run bridging the second and third quarters to seize the upper hand, with Alas scoring 9 points during that stretch.

Alas capped that rally with a three-pointer to give the Blue Eagles a 56-55 lead.

It was also Alas who secured the victory for Ateneo as he sank the layup that determined the final score with 1.2 seconds left, leaving Benilde insufficient time for a counter attack.

Down 78-79, the Blazers still had a crack at the win, but Jhomel Ancheta coughed up a costly turnover, with Jared Bahay picking up the ball and dishing off the assist to Alas for the win-sealing bucket. 

Travis Roberts also shone for the Blue Eagles with 16 points, while Bahay supplied 8 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.

Matthew Jucom and John Mowell Morales paced Benilde with 19 and 17 points, respectively. 

The Blue Eagles will face the winner between the Adamson Soaring Falcons and the Mapua Cardinals in the Elite Eight. – Rappler.com