Adamson University hacked a wire-to-wire 90-73 victory over National University Nazareth School to end a 31-year championship wait in the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball tournament Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Unlike in last Wednesday’s 64-67 loss – where the Bullpups clawed back from a 15-point hole – the Baby Falcons ensured there would be no second-half meltdown to win the best-of-three series, 2-1.
It was Adamson’s first title since 1993, when the Charlie Dy-mentored squad orchestrated a six-peat, still the longest high school championship run in UAAP.
The triumph also gave a fitting send-off to graduating Baby Falcons JC Bonzalida, Tebol Garcia, Vince Reyes, and Gene Carillo.
“I would like to thank God, as well as the Adamson community for this championship. Ang sarap ng pagkakapanalo nito,” said a jubilant coach Mike Fermin, who also thanked managers Engr. Bong Nuño, Engr. Gilbert Cruz, and Concon Navarra for the success.
Holding a slender 49-45 lead midway in the third period, the Baby Falcons were relentless this time.
They put the game to bed at 86-59 on an Earl Medina slam dunk with 3:15 remaining.
Mark Esperanza, who scored nine of his 13 points in the first half where Adamson built a 43-32 lead, was named the Finals MVP. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and two steals per game.
“Tinabraho namin ito. Nakinig po kami sa mga coaches at nagtiwala kami sa isa’t isa. Hangga’t hindi pa tumutunog ang final buzzer, hindi kami susuko,” said Esperanza.
Garcia, a member of the Mythical Team, scored 15 points in the clincher while Bonzalida had a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Allen Perez was the other Baby Falcon in double-digits with 11 points.
Nigerian Collins Akowe, the Season 86 MVP, led NUNS with 18 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Mac-Mac Alfanta and Klein Tagotongan chipped in 16 and 12 points respectively.
The Scores:
AdU (90) – Bonzalida 15, Garcia 15, Esperanza 13, Perez 11, Reyes 10, Carillo 9, Medina 8, Umali 5, Sajili 4, De Jesus 0, Baluyut 0, Artango 0, Palacpac 0.
NUNS (73) – Akowe 18, Alfanta 16, Tagotongan 12, Solomon 8, Yusi 7, Palanca 6, Barraca 3, Cartel 2, Reroma 1, Pillado 0, Usop 0, Nepacena 0, Napa 0, Herrera 0, Figueroa 0, Alejo 0.
Quarterscores: 24-15, 43-32, 62-53, 90-73
