National University Nazareth School rallied from 15 points down in the second half to outlast Adamson University, 67-64, and force a winner-take-all in the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball Finals Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Baby Falcons were poised to end a 31-year championship drought after seizing a 48-33 lead in the third quarter when the Bullpups stormed back in the payoff period and snatched a 66-62 lead.
Mark Esperanza’s putback off an Earl Medina miss cut Adamson’s deficit to 64-66 and had a chance to turn things around after a NUNS turnover.
However, Vince Reyes bungled two triples and Tebol Garcia failed to convert a lay-up.
After Tom Pillado earned a split from the foul line, the Baby Falcons tried to send the game into overtime in the final 8.3 seconds.
Esperanza then missed a triple at the buzzer.
The deciding Game 3 is set a 4:00 PM on Sunday at the San Juan arena.
“The job is not done yet,” said Bullpups center Collins Akowe, the newly-minted Season 86 MVP.
Akowe finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
“We still have one game which is on Sunday. We cannot afford to relax. It’s a do-or-die match now. We will give our all to win the game and win the championship,” the Nigerian added.
Klein Tagotongan also had 16 points, four boards, three assists, and two steals. However, he was ejected early in the fourth for flopping aside from an unsportsmanlike foul committed in the first half.
Medina waxed hot in the first half, scoring 15 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting. He finished with a game-high 23 points.
After a dismal three-point outing in the opener, Mythical Team member Garcia logged 13 points, six assists, five rebounds, and five steals.
“Bumitaw lang kami sa dulo. Hindi namin sinunod yung game plan. Hindi naman nasunod yung concept sa plays,” said Garcia.
The Scores:
NUNS (67) – Tagotongan 16, Akowe 16, Alfanta 8, Yusi 8, Solomon 7, Pillado 5, Barraca 3, Cartel 2, Nepacena 2, Palanca 0, Usop 0, Reroma 0.
AdU (64) – Medina 23, Garcia 13, Esperanza 9, Reyes 7, Perez 5, Carillo 3, Bonzalida 2, Tumaneng 2, Umali 0, Abayon 0, Sajili 0, De Jesus 0.
Quarterscores: 14-17, 32-38, 54-53, 67-64
