Adamson University rallied from 10 points down in the second half to hack out a 77-71 win over National University Nazareth School and move closer to bagging the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball championship Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Klein Tagotongan’s three-pointer gave the Bullpups the biggest lead of the game at 59-49 late in the third period when the Baby Falcons unloaded a 17-2 run capped by Vince Reyes lay-up to seize a 66-61 advantage with 5:41 left.
NUNS, which is making its 11th title round appearance in the last 12 seasons, never recovered.
History is on the side of Adamson, which is eyeing its first title since 1993 under then coach and now player agent Charlie Dy, as six of the eight previous Game 1 winners – and eight of the last 10 have gone on to become champions.
The Baby Falcons hope to close it out in Game 2 on Wednesday at the San Juan arena.
Reyes, who had nine of his 17 points in the payoff period, hopes to correct Adamson’s mistakes in the opener.
“Kailangang bawasan ang mga lapses namin. Kailangang ibalik ang teamwork at talagang makinig sa mga coaches namin at sa game plan po. Noong first at third (quarter), nawala kami sa game plan kaya naging sabog sabog kami,” said Reyes, who also logged six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Coach Mike Fermin rued the Baby Falcons’ first half overeagerness, allowing the Bullpups to be in the thick of things.
“Noong third, doon kami nawala sa sistema. We wanted to play one on one, which is hindi kami iyon. Hindi iyon Adamson basketball,” said Fermin.
“I just told them going to the fourth na trust your teammates. Kung malas man kayo, trust your teammates and make good decisions,” he added.
The Baby Falcons won despite Justine Garcia’s game-long offensive struggles, going 1-of-8 to finish only with three points.
Gene Carillo (13 points), Earl Medina (12), and JC Bonzalida (11) logged in double figures for Adamson.
Nigerian big man Collins Akowe had 26 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists while Mac-Mac Alfanta also posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 boards for NUNS.
Coach Kevin de Castro reminded his Bullpups to play as a team to save their season on Wednesday.
“Sinasabi ko sa kanila, a basketball game is 40 minutes. Naglaro lang kami ng 35 minutes,” De Castro said. “Yung team namin bata pa, yung championship experience, wala pa. Nawala yung composure noong last five minutes of fourth quarter.”
The Scores:
AdU (77) – Reyes 17, Carillo 13, Medina 12, Bonzalida 11, Esperanza 6, Sajili 6, Umali 4, Garcia 3, Abayon 3, De Jesus 2, Perez 0, Tumaneng 0.
NUNS (71) – Akowe 26, Alfanta 11, Yusi 9, Tagotongan 8, Palanca 6, Cartel 5, Nepacena 2, Usop 2, Solomon 2, Reroma 0, Barraca 0, Herrera 0.
Quarterscores: 16-13, 37-39, 51-59, 77-71
