Adamson University battled back from a 20-point second half deficit to beat Far Eastern University-Diliman, 82-80, and extend its winning run to seven games in the UAAP Season 85 high school boys basketball tournament Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Vince Reyes hit a lay-up in the final 4.2 seconds and the Baby Falcons then made a huge defensive stop on the next play.
The Baby Tamaraws failed to send the game into overtime after VJ Pre missed a last-gasp basket.
Adamson University moved up to 7-1 to remain level with defending two-time champion Nazareth School of National University, a 71-64 winner over University of Santo Tomas, on top of the standings.
It was a sorry loss by FEU-Diliman, which dropped to third at 6-2, as it was poised for a runaway win after posting an 82-62 advantage via a Pre basket at the 8:24 mark of the third period.
“I hope we are learning from this,” said Baby Falcons coach Mike Fermin. “Imagine we are down from 20, kung mahina ang puso ng mga ito, bumitaw na. Ang usapan lang, one stop at a time.”
Mat Edding led Adamson with 30 points, nine rebounds, and five assists while Peter Rosillo and Reyes chipped in 19 and 11 points, respectively.
Pre had 20 points and 11 boards while Jedric Daa and Kirby Mongcopa each scored 13 points for the Baby Tamaraws.
Reinhard Jumamoy was at his usual best for the Bullpups with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals while Aga Clarito added 15 points, including two key baskets in the final two minutes that kept the Tiger Cubs at bay.
Mark Llemit had 23 points and 13 boards to lead UST, which dropped in a tie with Ateneo in fifth spot at 3-5, a game behind fourth-running De La Salle-Zobel.
The Scores:
Third Game
NSNU (71) — Jumamoy 16, Clarito 15, Tagotongan 14, Colonia 13, Perciano 8, Yusi 5, Alfanta 0, Demetria 0, Herrera 0, Solomon 0, Timbang 0.
UST (64) — Llemit 23, Pangilinan 11, Bugsit 9, Ayon 6, Zanoria 6, Esteban 5, Manding 4, Buenaflor 0, Pantaleon 0, Tesocan 0.
Quarterscores: 27-11, 42-26, 58-42, 71-64
Fourth Game
AdU (82) — Edding 30, Rosillo 19, Reyes 11, Bonzalida 5, Garcia 4, Carillo 4, Sajili 3, Medina 3, Abayon 3, Manlapaz 0.
FEU (80) — Pre 20, Daa 13, Mongcopa 13, Cabonilas 11, Pasaol 10, Miranda 7, Herbito 5, Pascual 1, Maierhofer 0, Salangsang 0, Cabigting 0.
Quarterscores: 19-27, 42-55, 59-68, 82-80
