By: Joaquin Cortez
Far Eastern University-Diliman mounted a decisive fourth-quarter rally to complete a comeback victory over the University of Santo Tomas, 67-60, and strengthen its hold on second place in the UAAP Season 89 high school boys’ 16-and-under basketball tournament on Thursday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The victory boosted the Baby Tamaraws’ bid for a Final Four incentive, as they completed a season sweep of the Tiger Cubs after winning their first-round meeting, 77-69.
FEU-D also extended its winning streak to five games to improve to 8-2, while UST saw its three-game winning streak snapped to fall to 5-6.
“Nagising sila bigla no’ng fourth quarter na lang at nag-start silang gawin ‘yung tama. Although may mga open shots kami, ‘di lang talaga shumo-shoot. Kaya yung iba na-frustrate,” FEU-D head coach Muriel Garcia said. “Kaya no’ng halftime, sinabi namin, ‘Walang frustration.’ Ayon, nag-continue naman sila defensively and natuwa sila maglaro.”
Trailing by as many as 14 points early in the second half, the Baby Tamaraws gradually chipped away at the deficit while limiting UST to just 10 points in the third quarter. Griffin Barlan and Bernard Arsola converted consecutive layups to cut the Tiger Cubs’ lead to seven, 42-35, heading into the final frame.
UST struggled to find its rhythm offensively in the fourth quarter, allowing FEU-D to seize control with a 16-4 run capped by Andres Cruz’s triple that gave the Baby Tamaraws a 51-46 lead with 5:22 remaining.
FEU-D continued to force stops and capitalize on second-chance opportunities before Mampao banked in a long-range shot just before the shot clock expired to extend the lead to 59-53 with three minutes left.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Despite baskets from Miguel Austria and Mac Macasarte that fueled UST’s late rally, Mampao answered with a timely inside conversion to help seal the Baby Tamaraws’ comeback victory.
Calma and Barlan paced FEU-D with 16 points apiece, while Mampao added 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
The Baby Tamaraws dominated the offensive glass, outrebounding UST, 28-13, in offensive rebounds. FEU-D also doubled the Tiger Cubs’ second-chance points, 24-12.
Meanwhile, Macasarte led UST with 18 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, while Austria recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, alongside three assists.
Later in the day, the University of the East snapped its three-game losing streak in dominant fashion, routing Ateneo de Manila University, 105-83, on the Blue Eagles’ home floor.
The victory lifted the Junior Red Warriors to 6-5 and gave them sole possession of fourth place following UST’s loss earlier in the day.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
UE also completed a season sweep of Ateneo after claiming an 84-76 victory in their first-round meeting.
The Blue Eagles, meanwhile, absorbed their second consecutive defeat to fall to 1-10, suffering the loss in their third straight game on their home floor.
“The boys responded well kasi we had a losing streak ng three straight and sinabi ko sa kanila, ‘We need to act now kasi sayang. Parang may tama ’yung season natin kung natalo pa tayo so sayang ’yung first-round wins natin,’” UE head coach Paulo Hubalde said. “I just told them to stick to the game plan, kasi na-scout naman namin ang dapat i-scout sa Ateneo.”
“Lumalaban ang Ateneo. I give credit to their coaching and to the Ateneo team na kahit maliit sila, lumalaban sila. Parang parehas nga ng college natin,” added Hubalde, who also coaches UE’s collegiate squad.
The Junior Red Warriors established an early advantage as Jayson Mercado’s jumper sparked an 8-3 run, putting UE ahead, 21-13, at the end of the opening frame.
UE stretched its lead to as many as 17 points, but Ateneo stayed within striking distance as Diego Nuque-Bautista’s layup trimmed the deficit to seven, 40-33. Andrie Ancheta’s free throw, however, helped the Red Warriors maintain a 44-35 cushion at halftime.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Blue Eagles continued to chip away at the deficit in the third quarter, with Spencer Saw converting inside to pull Ateneo within three, 54-51.
UE quickly retaliated with a 9-2 run, capped by a free throw from Jaden Roxas, to restore its double-digit advantage at 63-53.
The Red Warriors pulled away in the final frame, with Ancheta finishing a layup to push UE past the century mark with just over two minutes remaining, 101-77.
“We still have to do our job. We still have to control our destiny. If we win our remaining games, then it’s a good scenario for us. But we still have to do our work,” Hubalde said.
Xerone Dizon spearheaded UE’s offense with a game-high 31 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists to record a double-double, while Roxas chipped in 25 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Zion Aguilar added 14 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
Four Ateneo players scored in double figures, led by Saw’s 19 points.
The Scores:
First Game
FEU-D (67) — Calma 16, Barlan 16, Mampao 11, Cruz 6, Isip 6, Alsola 4, Ira 4, Castro 4, Samonte 0, Maghinay 0, Garcia 0, Manaloto 0.
UST (60) — Macasarte 18, Austria 15, Eusebio 8, Umbaña 6, Bathan 5, Dueñas 4, Anggot 2, Abototo 2, Cuello 0, Cabañero 0, Esusan 0, Retaga 0.
Quarterscores: 6-13, 21-32, 35-42, 67-60.
Second Game
UE (105) — Dizon 31, Roxas 25, Aguilar 14, Mallabo 7, Mercado 6, Sena 5, Delos Santos 4, Mercado 4, Ancheta 3, Velayo 2, Pontipedra 2, Riparip 2, Redulfa 0, Maddara 0, Rapin 0, Apostol 0.
Ateneo (83) — Saw 19, Dela Cruz 13, Beley 13, Ylen 12, Nuque-Bautista 9, Gandionco 8, Llavore 5, Fresnido 2, Dionisio 2, Molina 0, Dolera 0, Manlutac 0, Mabigat 0, Shi 0.
Quarterscores: 21-13, 44-35, 75-66, 105-83.
