University of Santo Tomas dealt Adamson University its first loss with a come-from-behind 67-64 victory Sunday in the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Koji Buenaflor scored the game’s biggest basket, a floater that gave the Tiger Cubs a 67-62 lead with 25.4 seconds remaining.
The loss ended the Baby Falcons’ seven-game winning streak, giving them the No. 1 ranking in the first round.
UST, which improved to 5-3 in solo third, outscored Adamson, 36-17, in the second half.
“Proud ako sa players ko kasi kahit down kami ng 16 sa halftime, naniwala sila na kaya nila. Pinaghirapan nilang dumikit, nagtulong-tulong sila. Nagtiwala sila sa isa’t isa. Gawin nila ang best nila at bahala na sa resulta. Luckily, nakuha namin yung panalo,” said Tiger Cubs coach Manu Iñigo, adding that they only had a two-day break during Christmas before going back to work.
Andrei Dungo led UST with 21 points, nine rebounds, and four steals while JB Lim added 10 points and five boards.
“Sinabi ko lang sa buong team namin na magtiwala kami sa isa’t isa. Nung lamang sila ng double-digits, hindi bumaba yung kumpyansa namin,” added Dungo, a former San Beda Red Cub.
Vince Reyes logged 19 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists while Justine Garcia had 13 points before leaving the game late in the third quarter due to a left ankle injury.
Earlier, National University Nazareth School carved out an 82-70 overtime win over Far Eastern University-Diliman for its sixth win in eight games.
Nigerian Collins Akowe produced massive numbers anew with 16 points, 24 rebounds, and four blocks, but it was Migs Palanca who shone the brightest for the Bullpups in the extra session, scoring seven of his 15 points.
In other games, UE exacted revenge on its first-round loss to De La Salle-Zobel with an 84-78 win.
Meanwhile, Ateneo pulled off a 70-55 win over UP Integrated School to complete a head-to-head elims sweep.
The Junior Warriors and the Blue Eagles kept their Final Four hopes alive as they tied the Baby Tamaraws at 4-4.
Edry Alejandro had a double-double outing of 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Lance Sabroso added 14 points.
Mark Sarza chipped in 12 points, five boards, three assists, two steals, and two blocks for UE.
Chris Urbina led Ateneo with 19 points and four assists while Ziv Espinas had a near double-double of nine points and 11 rebounds.
Coach Reggie Varilla had a sigh of relief after the Blue Eagles fended off a tough Junior Fighting Maroons stand in the second half.
“We liked the victory. Masayang masaya kami sa first half kaya I told the boys we must continue what we are doing,” said Varilla. “Kaya lang the disappointing part is we started the third quarter lackluster. Kami pa yung pine-pressure, kami pa ang nate-turnover.”
Kieffer Alas logged 27 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists for the Junior Archers, who fell to 2-6.
The Scores:
First Game
UE (84) – Alejandro 17, Sabroso 14, Sarza 12, Almanza 10, De Leon 8, Lagat 7, Despi 6, Datumalim 4, Malonzo 2, Dahino 2, Farochilen 2, Pedrita 0.
DLSZ (78) – Alas 27, Dabao 15, Dimaano 11, Espina 7, Daja 7, Domangcas 5, Atienza 4, Favis 2, Cruz 0, Arboleda 0, Gubat 0, Pabellano 0.
Quarterscores: 25-13, 53-38, 66-58, 84-78
Second Game
Ateneo (70) – Urbina 19, Espinas 9, Lagdamen 7, Ong 7, De Guzman 6, Porter 6, Madrangca 6, Suico 3, Tan 3, Domangcas 2, Delos Santos 2, Prado 0, Calanasan 0, Asistio 0, Tupas 0.
UPIS (55) – Melicor 17, Tubongbanua 16, Egea 15, Gomez de Liaño 7, Coronel 0, Pascual 0, Valdeavilla 0.
Quarterscores: 25-9, 40-20, 52-37, 70-55
Third Game
NUNS (82) – Akowe 16, Alfanta 16, Palanca 15, Yusi 11, Cartel 7, Reroma 6, Pillado 5, Tagotongan 3, Solomon 3, Nepacena 0, Barraca 0.
FEU-D (70) – Pre 25, Cabonilas 18, Miller 8, Godoy 6, Pascual 6, Daa 4, Gordon 3, Gemao 0, Burgos 0, Cabigting 0, Miranda 0, Herbito 0, De Guzman 0.
Quarterscores: 16-4, 36-29, 54-47, 67-67, 82-70
Fourth Game
UST (67) – Dungo 21, Lim 10, Buenaflor 9, Ludovice 8, Velasquez 6, Manding 6, Ronquillo 2, Reyes 2, Zanoria 2, Bucsit 1, Verzosa 0, Esteban 0, Loreto 0.
AdU (62) – Reyes 19, Garcia 13, Umali 8, Carillo 8, Abayon 4, Medina 3, Artango 3, Perez 2, Esperanza 2, Sajili 2, Bonzalida 0, De Jesus 0, Tumaneng 0.
Quarterscores: 16-23, 31-47, 51-54, 67-62
