ADAMSON University hammered out a wire-to-wire 74-59 win over De La Salle-Zobel to secure the twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball tournament Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Justine Garcia had a solid all-around game of 14 points, six assists, five rebounds, and five steals while JC Bonzalida also shot 14 points and grabbed 13 boards as the Baby Falcons remained on top of the standings with an 11-1 record.
National University Nazareth School kept within reach of Adamson and bagged the remaining twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four with a 90-65 dismantling of UP Integrated School.
In other games, defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman pulled off a 67-65 win over Ateneo, while University of the East kept its slim Final Four hopes alive with a 76-73 conquest of University of Santo Tomas.
The Baby Falcons took advantage of the absence of top Junior Archers ace Kieffer Alas, who was in street clothes.
“Actually we prepared for La Salle-Zobel, hindi naman si Alas. Ang sabi ko, it’s gonna be harder to defeat Zobel because we don’t know who will gonna take the shot,” said Adamson coach Mike Fermin.
“So at least nakapag-adjust naman agad defensively ang mga bata at salamat and we got the twice-to-beat,” he added.
Nigerian big man Collins Akowe was at his usual best with 19 points and 20 rebounds as the Bullpups chalked up their 10th win in 12 games.
“It’s all about consistency. I just keep on working, and keep improving every day. The goal is to win the championship so we are not relenting. We are not relaxing. I give my best every game,” said Akowe.
NUNS coach Kevin de Castro is satisfied with the way things turned out, as his team led by as much as 37 points.
“Sobrang happy kasi kahit paano, yung chemistry nandoon na. Sinasabi ko sa kanila na i-push ang sarili ninyo kasi ito na ang finish line. Malapit na tayo sa goal natin,” said De Castro.
“Ang sabi ko sa kanila, one step at a time. Kunin natin a game, a game, hanggang kung saan tayo umabot,. Happy ako kasi kahit yung last group, naglaro pa rin ng maayos,” he added.
Migs Palanca also had a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds while Francis Herrera was the other Bullpup in double digits with 11 points.
The Baby Tamaraws are now tied with the Tiger Cubs in third spot at 7-5, two games ahead of the Junior Warriors, who hold a 5-7 record in fifth place.
Dwyne Miranda led FEU-D with 18 points, nine assists, and two steals, Veejay Pre logged 13 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks; while Jedric Daa also scored 13 points.
Edry Alejandro scored 18 points, including a go-ahead jumper in the final 14 seconds that gave UE a 74-73 lead, and stuffed the stat sheet with 22 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks.
“Three games kaming slump. Gusto na naming tapusin iyon. Maraming games sa amin ang masakit na talo. So ang ginawa naming motivation is we wanted to end it today. Ginusto naming lahat,” said Junior Warriors coach Karl Santos.
“Well, marami pa ring lapses. At the end of the day, kailangan pa talaga namin ng maturity and chemistry. Pero happy ako sa ipinakita ng boys kasi healthy sa amin ang panalong ito. Healthy sa amin itong game na ito,” he added.
Kristopher Lagat pumped in 22 points for UE, which completed an elimination round head-to-head sweep of UST.
The Tiger Cubs tried to turn things around late in the game but JB Lim and Wacky Ludovice misfired their three-pointers.
The Scores:
First Game
FEU-D (67) – Miranda 18, Daa 13, Pre 13, Herbito 10, Cabonilas 8, Gemao 2, Miller 2, Pascual 1, Cabigting 0, Burgos 0, Gordon 0, Mecha 0, Godoy 0.
Ateneo (65) – Porter 21, Madrangca 9, Lagdamen 7, De Guzman 7, Delos Santos 6, Domangcas 6, Suico 5, Urbina 3, Ong 1, Ebdane 0, Espinas 0, Tan 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16, 35-31, 48-46, 67-65
Second Game
NUNS (90) –Akowe 19, Palanca 19, Herrera 11, Napa 6, Usop 6, Cartel 5, Alfanta 4, Yusi 4, Solomon 4, Barraca 4, Reroma 2, Tagotongan 2, Pillado 2, Nepacena 2, Alejo 0.
UPIS (65) – Tubongbanua 20, Valdeavilla 13, Melicor 11, Egea 10, Gomez de Liaño 6, Coronel 5, Hernandez 0.
Quarterscores: 22-14, 40-18, 69-36, 90-65
Third Game
AdU (74) – Garcia 14, Bonzalida 14, Reyes 11, De Jesus 9, Medina 7, Esperanza 6, Carillo 5, Tumaneng 4, Sajili 2, Umali 2, Artango 0, Perez 0, Baluyut 0, Palapac 0, Abayon 0.
DLSZ (59) – Dabao 26, Espina 25, Daja 4, Dimaano 2, Atienza 2, Lopez 0, Arejola 0, Gubat 0, Arboleda 0, Pabellano 0, Sta. Maria 0, Domangcas 0, Favis 0, Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 25-11, 43-27, 62-45, 74-59
Fourth Game
UE (76) – Lagat 22, Alejandro 18, Sabroso 12, Datumalim 7, Despi 5, De Leon 4, Almanza 3, Farochilen 3, Sarza 2, Pedrita 0, Cuevas 0, Dehino 0, Malonzo 0.
UST (73) –Dungo 20, Manding 18, Verzosa 10, Velasquez 6, Ronquillo 4, Reyes 4, Buenaflor 3, Lim 3, Loreto 3, Bucsit 2, Ludovice 0.
Quarterscores: 17-18, 36-33, 63-60, 76-73
