Far Eastern University-Diliman and Ateneo de Manila University dominated their respective opponents ahead of their crucial clash on March 8.
The Baby Tamaraws drubbed the University of the East Junior Warriors, 71-62, while the Blue Eagles romped past the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 103-57, Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
FEU-D and Ateneo will face off at the close of the elimination round with a twice-to-beat advantage at stake.
The Baby Tamaraws are 11-2, the provisional leaders, as National University Nazareth School (10-2) is still facing Adamson University (4-8) as of publishing. The Blue Eagles, who defeated FEU-D in the first round, 90-71, are 10-3.
“Pinag-usapan nga namin before today’s game, we have to put ourselves in the position to get the second spot,” said first-year Baby Tamaraws head coach Mike Reyes about their upcoming matchup with the Blue Eagles. “We are not concerned about what happens to NU. We have to keep that position. Alam natin how disciplined Ateneo plays, and you have to be disciplined to beat them.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, first-year Blue Eagles head coach Bacon Austria acknowledged the challenge of facing FEU-D again.
“FEU is one of the oldest teams here, while we are the second youngest. Heading into the season, FEU was the team to beat. They have seasoned veterans who have played here in this division and played internationally for Gilas. Grabe din coaching staff nila. Sobrang bigat from players to coaches,” said Bacon, son of multiple-time PBA champion coach Leo Austria.
FEU-D was only up by eight at halftime, but they turned up the intensity in the third quarter, holding UE to just three points on 1-of-14 shooting while forcing six turnovers, building a 61-38 lead.
However, the Baby Tamaraws’ defense relaxed late in the game. UE took advantage, cutting the lead to as low as seven points, 69-62, much to the chagrin of Reyes.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“’Yung third quarter, UE had three points… Siyempre, masaya kami sa resulta ng game at yung nangyari sa third, but our goal ever since the preseason, we play well, babagsak, paulit-ulit,” lamented Mike, brother of TNT head coach Chot Reyes.
“Siguro, we only had one game that we played all forty minutes. That’s what we are looking for. Ang malungkot, bumagsak kami sa fourth quarter. I’m not sure what happened, but the goal is to play forty minutes, especially in the Final Four. Efficiency is key in the Final Four.”
Khean Esperanza starred for the Baby Tamaraws, scoring 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field, adding five rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Yosef Raneses and Marc Burgos contributed 11 points each, with Raneses dishing out six assists and Burgos grabbing seven rebounds. Cabs Cabonilas, the leading MVP candidate, tallied 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.
For Ateneo, every player scored against the Fighting Maroons, leading to a dominant 103-57 win, with the Blue Eagles at one point up by 46.
“I’m happy with this game because everyone pitched in, from the first group to the last group. Hindi nawala yung mindset namin to win this game. This game was important for us heading into our final game,” said Austria.
Jude Eriobu recorded a 20-point, 19-rebound double-double in just 19 minutes. Jay M. Leal and Noah Banal posted identical lines of 11 points and five rebounds each, while Q Molina, Sky Jazul, and Aiori Aquino added nine points apiece. The Blue Eagles also knocked down 12 triples.
Zane Kallos, despite scoring only one point, contributed nine assists.
UE, now 4-9, was led by Sizco Roquid and JM Edoukou, who scored 14 points each.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Bruce Tubongbanue scored 18 points with eight rebounds for winless UPIS, while Zandro Lugatiman and Jhustin Hallare added 16 and 12 points, respectively.
The Scores:
First Game:
FEU-D 71 – Esperanza 22, Raneses 11, Burgos 11, Cabonilas 10, Gaye 4, Cagurungan 3, Alagaban 3, Sohm 2, Carino 2, Santos 2, Dargcutan 1, Hall 0, Enriquez 0, Santos 0, Dulin 0.
UE 62 – Roquid 14, Edoukou 14, Aguas 10, Diaz 6, Lorenzo 6, Bual 5, Pascual 3, Braga 2, Delos Reyes 2, Abellar 0, Oraa 0, Copada 0, Panganiban 0, Orca 0.
Quarterscores: 28-15, 43-35, 61-38, 71-62.
Second Game
Ateneo 103 – Eriobu 20, Leal 11, Banal 11, Molina 9, Jazul 9, Aquino 9, Reyes 8, Madrangca 6, Kaw 6, Tamayo 5, Gatmaitan 3, Espinas 3, Magpoc 2, Kallos 1.
UPIS 57 – Tubongbanua 18, Lugatiman 16, Hallare 12, Poquiz 6, Addatu 3, Rosete Ma. 2, Labao 0, Rosete MJ 0, Hernandez 0, Ryan 0, Manguerra 0.
Quarterscores: 22-18, 55-31, 78-45, 103-57.
