Far Eastern University-Diliman cruised past Ateneo de Manila University, 77-34, to notch its fourth consecutive win in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Meanwhile, Kobe Edrada delivered in the clutch as Adamson University pulled off an 84-80 upset of University of the East.
The Baby Tamaraws strengthened their Final Four bid, improving to 7-2 for solo second place in the standings.
“Huwag niyo isipin na ganyan ang iskor, tuloy-tuloy lang kayong maglaro, get better, sabi ko,” said head coach Muriel Garcia.
FEU-D dominated from the opening tip, limiting Ateneo to just seven points in the first quarter to establish an 18-point advantage. Then the Baby Tamaraws continued their onslaught in the second period, with 12 players getting on the scoreboard as the Blue Eagles managed just five points.
By the fourth quarter, 15 of the 16 players who suited up for FEU-D had scored as the Baby Tamaraws cruised to victory. They also held Ateneo to just 34 points, the lowest output by any team in the tournament this season.
Beyond the victory, the dominant performance provided a much-needed morale boost for Garcia and the Baby Tamaraws ahead of their rematch with National University Nazareth School, their opponents in the Season 88 Finals.
“Matagal na po kaming hindi nananalo sa NU, kaya this coming game, ti-try namin yung best namin na bumawi sa NU. Important yung game na ‘to na manalo,” said Andres Cruz, who finished with four points and a game-high four steals.
Bernard Alsola led FEU-D’s balanced attack with 12 points and four assists, while Nicus Calma and Hisham Mampao chipped in nine points apiece.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
In the other game, after Mercado’s free throws gave UE an 80-78 lead with 1:35 remaining, Philrine Bulan answered with a jumper to knot the score at 80-all.
Edrada then came up big, draining a go-ahead three-pointer with 16 seconds left to put Adamson in front.
Zion Aguilar missed a three-pointer on the other end, allowing Raymond Chan to seal the victory for the Baby Falcons at the free-throw line.
“Just belief in my work and belief in the Lord. I just put in a little work behind the scenes, so that when we go out here it really shows,” said Edrada, who finished with 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
The victory snapped Adamson’s four-game losing streak and put the Baby Falcons back in the win column. They improved to 2-6, tying University of the Philippines Integrated School for the same record.
The result also avenged Adamson’s 99-74 loss to UE on its home floor in their previous meeting at the end of the first round.
“I really feel awesome. I hope we can win more games. But we just have to be consistent. We have to practice more and improve more,” said Chan, who led the Baby Falcons with 21 points and four rebounds.
Zach Caintic contributed 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Carl Espiritu added 10 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, Kurt Mercado paced UE with a game-high 29 points, while Mark Redulfa chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.
UE fell to 5-4 after absorbing its second consecutive defeat.
Johnqiel Shi led Ateneo with six points, while Diego Nuque-Bautista added five. No Blue Eagle scored in double figures as the Blue Eagles dropped to 0-8, remaining winless after eight games.
The Scores:
Third Game:
AdU 84 — Chan 21, Caintic 15, Edrada 12, Espiritu 10, Timtiman 8, Bulan 8, Gayatin 5, Delos Santos 3, Maycong 2, Sepnio 0, Cads 0, Subido 0.
UE 80 — K. Mercado 29, Redulfa 12, Mallabo 9, Aguilar 8, Sena 8, Dizon 8, Roxas 5, Delos Santos 1, Pontipedra 0, J. Mercado 0, Velayo 0, Maddara 0.
Quarterscores: 22-26, 49-46, 64-61, 84-80.
Fourth Game:
FEU-D 77 — Alsola 12, Calma 9, Mampao 9, Barlan 6, Castro 6, Isip 6, Salazar 5, Ira 4, Cruz 4, Manaloto 4, Maghinay 3, Madrigal 3, Vale 3, Samonte 2, Garcia 1, Cortes 0.
Ateneo 34 — Shi 6, Nuque-Bautista 5, Fresnido 4, Gandionco 4, Llavore 4, Mabigat 3, Manlutac 2, Saw 2, Ylen 2, Beley 2, Bayona 0, Dolera 0, Molina 0, Lucero 0, Dionisio 0.
Quarterscores: 25-7, 41-12, 58-20, 77-34.
