Adamson University used a huge third quarter to beat National University Nazareth School, 87-75, and secure the No. 1 ranking in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball tournament Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Earl Medina scattered 12 of his 22 points in the Baby Falcons’ pivotal 27-9 third period run to repeat over the Bullpups.
Finishing the eliminations with a 13-1 record, Adamson will take on No. 4 University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four starting on Wednesday, needing only to win once to advance to the best-of-three Finals for the second straight year.
It was the Tiger Cubs who dealt the Baby Falcons their lone defeat of the season.
Adamson coach Mike Fermin was satisfied with the way the team responded after NUNS led by as much as eight points in the first half.
“We just stick to the game plan because yung first half, nangigigil eh. Sabi ko, hindi natin tatalunin ng first 10 or 20 minutes iyan. We take the whole 40 minutes or even extra minutes,” said Fermin.
“Hats to the players. Nasunod yung game plan noong second half,” he added.
Justine Garcia had a double-double of 20 points and 10 assists that went with six rebounds and three steals while Vince Reyes was also solid for the Baby Falcons with 16 points, seven assists, five boards, and four steals.
Fermin was delighted to see Adamson play unselfish basketball all season long.
“It’s all about team effort,” said Fermin.
Defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman, meanwhile, hacked out an 84-78 victory over UST to claim the No. 3 ranking in the Final Four.
The Baby Tamaraws (9-5) will take on the twice-to-beat Bullpups (11-3) in the other pairing.
Finishing the elims strong with four straight wins, FEU-D mentor Allan Albano remains upbeat about his team’s chances to make it back to the league’s biggest stage.
“It’s a good momentum para sa amin ds Final Four. Ang sa amin lang, kung ano ang meron kami, yun ang bibibitin namin sa playoffs. Like playoffs experience, naniniwala ako sa mga beterano namin” said Albano.
Veejay Pre led the way for the Baby Tamaraws with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks, Jedric Daa had 18 points, eight boards, and seven assists while Dwyne Miranda also produced an all-around game of 15 points, 10 boards, and seven assists.
Mac-Mac Alfanta took the scoring mantle with 20 points while NUNS’ Nigerian center Collins Akowe logged 13 points and 21 rebounds.
Koji Buenaflor paced the Tiger Cubs with 23 points, five rebounds, and two blocks, while Andrei Dungo chipped in 16 points, six assists, and five boards.
In other games, Edry Alejandro had 28 points and 20 rebounds as University of the East ended its first season under Karl Santos on a high note with a 77-61 dismantling of Ateneo.
Maco Davao came through with 29 points and 11 rebounds as La Salle-Zobel downed UP Integrated School, 75-64, for its only second win in the second round.
The Junior Warriors placed fifth with a 6-8 record, while the Junior Archers and the Blue Eagles have similar 4-10 marks. The Junior Fighting Maroons, meanwhile, recorded their second straight 1-13 season.
The Scores
First Game
FEU-D (84) – Pre 19, Daa 18, Miranda 15, Godoy 8, Cabonilas 7, Herbito 6, De Guzman 6, Miller 2, Burgos 2, Cabigting 1, Gordon 0, Pascual 0.
UST (78) – Buenaflor 23, Dungo 16, Manding 13, Lim 9, Bucsit 6, Esteban 5, Loreto 4, Velasquez 2, Ronquillo 0, Reyes 0, Verzosa 0, Zanoria 0, Kaw 0, Vidanes 0, Ferrer 0, Ludovice 0.
Quarterscores: 26-15, 47-32, 70-56, 84-78
Second Game
AdU (87) – Medina 22, Garcia 20, Reyes 16, Bonzalida 9, Carillo 8, Abayon 4, Esperanza 3, Umali 3, Perez 2, Sajili 0.
NUNS (75) – Alfanta 20, Akowe 13, Yusi 9, Tagotongan 8, Nepacena 8, Cartel 6, Palanca 5, Usop 2, Pillado 2, Solomon 2, Reroma 0.
Quarterscores: 26-25, 40-45, 67-54, 87-75
Third Game
UE (77) – Alejandro 28, Lagat 15, Sarza 10, De Leon 5, Pedrita 5, Despi 4, Almanza 3, Sabroso 3, Datumalim 2, Malonzo 2, Farochilen 0, Cuevas 0, Gammad 0, Suria 0, Correa 0.
Ateneo (61) – Porter 15, De Guzman 7, Delos Santos 6, Domangcas 6, Espinas 6, Lagdamen 5, Ebdane 4, Suico 4, Tan 4, Urbina 2, Prado 2, Tupas 0, Ong 0, Madrangca 0, Asistio 0, Calanasan 0.
Quarterscores: 25-15, 45-33, 60-53, 77-61
Fourth Game
DLSZ (75) – Dabao 29, Daja 10, Pabellano 9, Espina 8, Dimaano 8, Atienza 6, Gubat 3, Lopez 2, Arejola 0, Manganaan 0, Arboleda 0, Cruz 0, Sta. Maria 0, Favis 0, Domangcas 0.
UPIS (64) – Melicor 18, Valdeavilla 18, Tubongbanua 10, Egea 10, Gomez de Liaño 8, Coronel 0, Hernandez 0.
Quarterscores: 17-10, 38-20, 58-36, 75-64
