ADAMSON University and National University Nazareth School solidified their hold of 1-2 spots after besting separate foes in the UAAP Season 86 high school boys’ basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday.
Vince Reyes had 20 points and eight rebounds while Justine Garcia added 14 points and six assists as the Baby Falcons hammered out an 83-70 win over De La Salle-Zobel.
Nigerian Collins Akowe grabbed a record 29 rebounds as the Bullpups carved out an 84-76 win over a hard-fighting UP Integrated School.
Adamson remained undefeated in five matches while NUNS has won two in a row and improved to 4-1 overall.
Coach Mike Fermin praised the Junior Archers for keeping the game close with another solid outing by Kieffer Alas.
“La Salle Zobel played well. Breaks of the game lang. Nung bandang huli, nagkaroon sila ng turnovers nung nag press kami and we were able to capitalize on their turnovers pero kung di dahil dun, dikit yan. Lumayo lang ng turnovers dahil sa turnovers nila,” said Fermin.
Akowe, who also led the Bullpups in scoring with 22 points, surpassed the old high school boys’ mark of 27 set by Justine Baltazar on Feb. 19, 2016. He nearly matched the all-comers record of 30 boards by University of the Philippines’ women’s basketball rookie sensation Favour Onoh just last Nov. 22.
Tom Pillado chipped in 16 points and three assists while Migs Palanca and Gab Nepacena added 13 and 10 points, respectively, for NUNS.
Daryl Valdeavilla scored 30 points, but his efforts went for naught as the Junior Fighting Maroons fell short in their upset bid with a fifth consecutive defeat.
“Credits sa UPIS. Talagang grabe yung nilaro nila today kahit yung last game nila. Yun nga sabi ko sa players before the game — don’t underestimate this team kasi ito yung mga nakakatakot na kalaban dahil no pressure at nasa baba. Kahit papano, nag respond sila kahit dumikit,” said NUNS coach Kevin de Castro.
“Challenge din samin. Kailangan talaga naming pagtrabahuan kasi yun nga, sinasabi ng lahat, kami yung contender pero the way we’re playing the last few games, medyo off kami,” he added.
Earlier, University of the East halted University of Santo Tomas’ three-game winning streak with an 80-64 win, while defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman squandered a 15-point lead before escaping with a 70-68 victory over Ateneo.
The Junior Warriors outscored the Tiger Cubs, 30-10, in the third period to post their second win in five games.
Kristoper Lagat led UE with 22 points and two steals while Jaden Datumalim had a double-double outing of 10 points and 12 rebounds.
“We wanted this. Kagaya ng sinabi ko sa pre-game, if we still want to make it to the Final Four, we have to win now. Alam naman natin na UST is a big fish. We caught a big fish right now. Gusto namin tong panalo na to because it’s a big confidence booster going up against FEU and UP,” said UE coach Karl Santos.
Dwyne Miranda had 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals while Cabs Cabonillas chipped 15 points and 14 boards as the Baby Tamaraws hiked their record to 3-2 in a tie with the Tiger Cubs.
“Salute muna ako sa mga boys sa nilaro nila ngayon. At least, nag-i-improve kami after nung game namin sa UST. Halos yung diin ng game nila na nilaro nila ngayon, wala akong masabi sa kanila,” said FEU-Diliman coach Allan Albano.
The Junior Archers fell in a tie with the Junior Warriors at 2-3, while the Blue Eagles and the Junior Fighting Maroons stumbled to 1-4 and 0-5 records, respectively.
The Scores:
First Game
UE (80) – Lagat 22, Sabroso 13, Almanza 11, Datumalim 10, Alejandro 10, Sarza 10, De Leon 4, Despi 0, Dahino 0, Malonzo 0, Correa 0, Suria 0, Peralta 0, Farochilen 0, Cuevas 0.
UST (64) – Dungo 11, Velasquez 11, Buenaflor 10, Manding 10, Lim 8, Ludovice 7, Esteban 4, Bucsit 3, Ronquillo 0, Verzosa 0, Kaw 0, Loreto 0, Ferrer 0, Reyes 0, Vidanes 0.
Quarterscores: 20-15, 35-39, 65-49, 80-64
Second Game
FEU-D (70) – Miranda 18, Pre 16, Cabonilas 15, Daa 9, Cabigting 8, Gordon 4, Salangsang 0, Burgos 0, Miller 0, Pascual 0, Herbito 0, Mecha 0, Castillejos 0.
Ateneo (68) – Espinas 16, Urbina 14, Porter 13, Lagdamen 6, Madrangca 6, Delos Santos 5, De Guzman 2, Ong 2, Asistio 2, Prado 2, Ebdane 0, Domangcas 0, Tupas 0.
Quarterscores: 19-16, 41-35, 56-45, 70-68
Third Game
NUNS (84) – Akowe 22, Pillado 16, Palanca 13, Nepacena 10, Yusi 9, Alfanta 7, Tagotongan 3, Cartel 2, Solomon 2, Barraca 0, Napa 0, Usop 0.
UPIS (76) – Valdeavilla 30, Tubongbanua 22, Melicor 9, Egea 7, Gomez de Liaño 5, Coronel 3.
Quarterscores: 25-18, 38-40, 60-50, 84-76
Fourth Game
AdU (83) – Reyes 20, Garcia 14, Tumaneng 8, Bonzalida 7, Carillo 7, Esperanza 6, De Jesus 6, Medina 5, Artango 4, Umali 4, Sajili 2, Abayon 0, Perez 0, Tumabang 0.
DLSZ (70) – Alas 20, Dimaano 15, Daja 14, Espina 11, Arboleda 5, Atienza 2, Arejola 2, Dabao 1, Gubat 0, Cruz 0, Domangcas 0, Favis 0, Manganaan 0, Pabellano 0, Sta. Maria 0.
Quarterscores: 15-16, 41-29, 61-58, 83-70
