By: Joaquin Cortez
In a battle of two also-ran teams, Adamson University snapped its three-game losing streak with a commanding fourth-quarter performance, pulling away from the University of the Philippines, 99-83, in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With both teams entering the matchup carrying identical 2-9 records, Adamson improved to 3-9 to claim solo possession of sixth place.
Meanwhile, UP continued to struggle, absorbing its sixth consecutive defeat to fall to 2-10 with just two games remaining in its schedule.
After a tightly contested first three quarters that featured eight lead changes and four deadlocks, the Baby Falcons broke away in the final frame, outscoring UP, 30-21, behind Kobe Endrada’s 20-point performance, which included four assists and six three-pointers.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Actually, from the very start, we wanted to get a big lead. Pero feeling ko medyo naging overeager ‘yung mga bata and we still had 23 turnovers … But the hard work started no’ng first quarter,” said Adamson head coach Dante Tangco. “The kids really worked hard this whole week just to prepare for this because we know we only have three games to go.
“If we can, we want to win all three, and it started today,” the tactician added.
The Baby Falcons began creating separation late in the third quarter, putting together a 7-0 run capped by Dwayne Cads’ inside finish to establish a 68-61 advantage.
Adamson carried that momentum into the final period, with Henri Subido and Endrada knocking down back-to-back triples to stretch the lead to 13, 82-69.
UP struggled to keep pace down the stretch, allowing Endrada to capitalize with another three-pointer that extended Adamson’s advantage to 16, 87-71, with 4:53 remaining.
The Baby Falcons continued to pile on the pressure in the closing minutes, with Endrada draining his sixth triple of the game to help preserve their commanding lead and seal the victory.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
With only two games left in the season, Tangco stressed that his squad remained determined to finish the campaign on a strong note, regardless of its position in the standings.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a non-bearing game or what. We want to get a better outcome this year, and I know it’s not going to be like last year, but at least we showed up to the end, and we’ll try to get the best that we can,” Tangco said.
Adamson’s offensive efficiency helped make up for its 23 turnovers, as the Baby Falcons converted 43 of 75 field-goal attempts for an impressive 57.3 percent shooting clip. They were particularly effective from beyond the arc, sinking 11 of 19 attempts for 57.9 percent.
Zach Caintic provided additional firepower with 17 points and four assists, while Raphael Gayatin and Mark Delos Santos Jr. chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
For UPIS, Hubert Bautista paced the squad with a season-high 26 points and three steals, while Kean Poquiz added 19 points, three rebounds, and five assists.
Both teams will return to action at the Big Dome, with Adamson looking to build on its victory against Far Eastern University-Diliman on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 8:00 a.m.
Meanwhile, UP will attempt to snap its losing streak when it takes on the University of the East on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 8:00 a.m.
The Scores:
ADU 99 – Edrada 20, Caintic 17, Gayatin 11, Delos Santos 10, Sepnio 9, Subido 8, Cads 8, Bulan 6, Espiritu 4, Timtiman 2, Maycong 2, Chan 2.
UPIS 83 – Bautista 26, Poquiz 19, Lugatiman 17, Labao 8, Santos 5, Floirendo 5, David 3.
Quarterscores: 28-22, 47-45, 68-63, 99-83.
