The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons became the first team to officially secure a semifinal seat in UAAP Season 89 on Saturday evening, grinding out an 82–74 victory over archrival Ateneo Blue Eagles at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Rey Remogat and Veejay Pre orchestrated a poised fourth-quarter closeout, turning back a furious 14–4 Ateneo run fueled by rookie sensations Jared Bahay and Kieffer Alas. The victory improves Goldwin Monteverde’s Fighting Maroons to a tournament-leading 9–2 slate, securing their seventh consecutive Final Four appearance while sweeping the elimination-round "Battle of Katipunan" series. Tensions flared after the final buzzer, prompting Ateneo coach Louie Alas to issue a formal post-game apology for an emotional confrontation with officials regarding technical foul calls.