Ateneo de Manila showed why it remains a formidable force despite the graduation of star guard Chris Tiu as the Eagles demolished the University of the East Warriors, 72-57, and kept their share of the lead in the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.

With Rabeh Al-Hussaini putting numbers befitting his MVP status, the Eagles recovered from a sputtering start to beat the Warriors and tie University of Santo Tomas for the lead at 2-0.

The Warriors, behind the red-hot shooting of Val Acuña, zoomed to a 28-11 lead in the first half, but Al-Hussaini conspired with Eric Salamat and Nonoy Baclao in putting together a huge second half spurt to grab the lead for good.

After a slow start, the 6-foot-7 Al-Hussaini waxed hot to finish with 27 points,19 in the second half, and 12 rebounds as he overpowered Pari Llagas and Elmer Espiritu in the shaded lane.

In the first game, Dylan Ababou uncorked a career-high 30 points as University of Santo Tomas downed National University, 104-89.

Ateneo was actually down by 17, 28-11, but Al-Hussaini asserted his might inside to help the Eagles get out of the hole and give the Warriors a sound beating.

"I think we did better in the second half. It's all about respecting our opponent, not gambling on defense, moving the ball well on offense and being more patient," said Ateneo head coach Norman Black.

Acuna had 21 points to lead UE but made just two points in the second half.  Paul Lee missed 16-of-20 attemps but finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.

The versatile 6-foot-3 Ababou made 12-of-25 attemps from the field and hauled down 10 rebounds for a double-double effort in 29 minutes of action as the Tigers denied the Bulldogs a 2-0 start.

"Nagstep-up siya ngayon dahil see-saw siya nung first game. Buti nakabawi siya," said UST coach Pido Jarencio said Ababou, who has the taken the leadership role now that former MVP Jervy Cruz and the rest of the 2006 championship squad are all gone.

It was UST's first 2-0 start since 1999. That year, UST went on to win its first 10 games behind the efforts of Marvin Ortiguerra, current national team mainstay Cyrus Baguio and Niño Gelig but eventually lost to La Salle in the finals.

The scores:

First Game
UST 104 - Ababou 30, Mirza 19, Teng 14, Fortuna 14, Maliksi 10, Green 7, Mariano 4, Afuang 4, Cam 2, Ungria 0, Rushdy 0, Felix 0, Camus 0, Bautista 0, Aytona 0.

NU 89 - Singh 19, Baloran 19, Hermosisima 15, Terso 10, Manito 8, Malanday 7, Ponferrada 6, Batac 3, Luy 2, Roy 0, Magat 0, Fabula 0, Cabaluna 0.
Quarters: 32-24; 62-49; 88-68; 104-89.

Second Game
ATENEO 72 - Al-Hussaini 27, Salamat 12, Baclao 10, Reyes 7, Salva 6, Monfort 3, Austria 3, Gonzaga 2, Chua 2, Tiongson 0, Long 0, Buenafe 0.

UE 57 - Acuña 21, Lee 14, Reyes 7, Llagas 6, Espiritu 6, Zamar 3, Lingganay 0, Flores 0, Ayala 0, Alabanza 0.
Quarters: 11-23; 35-37; 54-48; 72-57.