PRINCE Cariño and Dwyne Enriquez combined for 55 points as Far Eastern University-Diliman rolled past Ateneo de Manila University, 91-80, in their opening game of the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Saturday morning at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.
The win marked a strong start to FEU-Diliman’s redemption campaign.
Cariño, a member of the Gilas Boys squad that competed in the FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup 2025, led the Baby Tamaraws with 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting, alongside eight rebounds and two assists. Enriquez, a 16-year-old guard from San Mateo, Rizal, added 25 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, six steals, and three blocks, signaling FEU’s intent despite the Season 87 bronze-medalist core—Anton Lopez, Kierdy Victoria, Pat Pasinos, and Mark Dulin—moving up to the 19-and-under division.
“First sinabi ko sa kanila na kailangan natin magtrabaho ngayon pa lang. Kailangan natin pumondo ng panalo at kung kaya natin kumuha ng panalo, kunin natin para hindi tayo mamroblema sa second round,” said Baby Tamaraws head coach Muriel Garcia.
“Ayaw namin mag-relax yung boys kasi ayaw na namin maulit yung nangyari sa amin na twice-to-beat kami, na twice-beaten kami ng UST. Hanggang sa huli, gusto namin pumukpok,” he added.
FEU came out blazing, opening a 29-14 lead in the first quarter.
Ateneo, under new head coach Jeffrey Mangubat, fought back in the second period, with timely scoring from Sky Jazul trimming the deficit to 52-42 at halftime.
The Blue Eagles, who finished sixth last season, remained within striking distance early in the third period at 60-51.
But the Baby Tamaraws went on a decisive 17-4 run, fueled by consecutive layups from Cariño, to build a 22-point, 77-55 advantage.
In the fourth quarter, a four-point burst by Enriquez and an inside hit from Griffin Barlan extended FEU’s lead to 89-70 with 3:16 remaining, effectively sealing the season-opening triumph.
Prince Pineda contributed six points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block, while Dwayne Cañete added six points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Andrei Chavez and Griffin Barlan chipped in five points each.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Later in the day, Adamson University overcame a 28-point explosion from Enzo Parugganan to defeat De La Salle-Zobel, 85-69.
The Junior Archers, who finished fifth last season, trailed 22-41 in the second quarter but managed to cut the deficit to 39-46 early in the third quarter thanks to Parugganan’s scoring.
Adamson regained control as Kyles Abas, Seb Esma, and Fran Flores orchestrated an 11-2 surge, pushing DLSZ into a 17-point hole at 70-53.
A seven-point run by Adamson, capped by a Majiq Padrejuan midrange jumper, gave the Baby Falcons a commanding 77-57 lead with 7:05 left.
“Honestly, that’s what we’re really trying to do this year. Since the past two years, medyo hindi ganon kagandahan yung performance ng players but at least medyo umangat ng konti. But this year, we’re looking forward to doing something better, doing more, and doing well than last year,” said Adamson head coach Dante Tangco, who took over from Alex Barrera after the Baby Falcons finished seventh in Season 87.
Adamson was led by Keefy Iledan, who posted a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds, along with six assists and two blocks.
Flores added 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block, while Uno Del Monte contributed 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Esma added 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For Ateneo, Domeng Ngo led the Blue Eagles with 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting, with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Jazul, the Season 87 JHS 3×3 MVP, was limited to 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting with seven turnovers but contributed six steals, four rebounds, and four assists.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Parugganan tallied 28 points on 8-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals for DLSZ, while John Mindanao added nine points and one steal.
The Scores:
First Game:
FEU-D (91) – Cariño 30, Enriquez 25, Pineda 6, Cañete 6, Chavez 5, Barlan 5, Mampao 4, Daa 3, Isip 3, Mojica 2, Cruz 2, Calma 0, Maghinay 0, Madrigal 0, Desiderio 0, Manaloto 0.
Ateneo (80) – Ngo 16, Jazul 14, Dela Rosa 8, Hwang 7, Ylen 7, Bernarte 5, David 5, Castro 4, Divinagracia 4, Fresnido 4, Saw 2, Llavore 2, Cayabyab 2, M. Yoro 0, G. Yoro 0.
Quarterscores: 34-24, 52-42, 79-64, 91-80.
Second Game:
AdU (85) – Iledan 17, Flores 15, Del Monte 12, Esma 10, Padrejuan 8, E. Jordan 7, Vengco 7, Abas 6, Vargas 3, A. Jordan 0, Mangahas 0, Caindic 0.
DLSZ (69) – L. Parungganan 28, Mindanao 9, Rivera 7, L. I. Parungganan 6, Asis 6, Pangan 6, Delos Reyes 3, Dizon 2, Meloto 2, Quillo 0, Mercado 0, Dumana 0.
Quarterscores: 24-15, 46-36, 70-53, 85-69
