DE LA SALLE-Zobel and Far Eastern University-Diliman took contrasting victories to remain tied at the helm in the UAAP Season 86 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Saturday.
The Junior Archers drubbed debuting archrivals Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 91-64, while the Baby Tamaraws escaped neighbors University of the East Junior Warriors, 84-82, at the Adamson Gym in San Marcelino, Manila.
Unlike its 73-71 win over UE on opening day last week, DLSZ hardly broke a sweat against Ateneo, leading wire-to-wire to secure its second win.
Melvin Tailan led the way for the Archers with 19 points while Tomas Cruz notched a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Javi Dimayuga and Vince Magan chipped in 16 points apiece as well for DLSZ, which will next face idle National University Nazareth School on Sunday, March 24, 9 a.m. at FEU-FERN Gym in Diliman.
Meanwhile, the Baby Tamaraws leaned on the endgame heroics of JB Cagurungan to keep their slate unblemished in this under-16 demonstration event.
Down 79-82 with just under a minute left, Cagurungan drained a clutch trey to knot things up.
After getting a stop, he then went for a daredevil drive, scoring the go-ahead basket plus the harm with 11.4 seconds left.
Though he missed his free throw, FEU-D was able to secure the rebound and the victory.
Cagurungan finished with a line of 18 points and eight rebounds. Travis Pascual scored a game-high 23 points.
“Maganda itong tournament na ito kasi nabibigyan kagad ng magandang competition yung mga bata,” said Baby Tamaraws head coach Mark Isip, a former PBA pro for 10 years and a UAAP champion with FEU.
Ethan Aguas got 16 points and 10 rebounds while Mab Mesina and Mhico Abellar got 14 points each for UE.
Ateneo, who missed the services of second-generation hoopers Ziv Espinas and Deydi De Ocampo due to injuries, was paced by Zane Kallos, who produced 12 points and 13 rebounds.
In the third game, University of Santo Tomas evened its slate, overwhelming young Adamson University, 108-67.
Andwele Cabanero, younger brother of Growling Tiger Nic, produced 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go with six steals, four assists, and three rebounds.
UE and Adamson fell to 0-2.
Other games slated for the March 24 playdate are Adamson versus FEU-Diliman at 11 a.m. followed by Ateneo versus UST at 1 p.m.
The Scores:
First Game:
FEU-D 84 – Pascual 23, Cagurungan 18, Dagcutan 11, Gutierrez 8, Pasinos 7, Dulin 7, Dongrin 5, Lopez 3, Carino 2, Miranda 0, Chua 0.
UE 82 – Aguas 16, Mesina 14, Abella 14, Bual 12, Garcia 8, Roquid 7, Dahino 6, Bungar 3, Oraa 2, Ferreras 0.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 47-37, 65-59, 84-82.
Second Game:
DLSZ 91 – Tailan 17, Cruz 17, Dimayuga 16, Magan 16, Gubat 10, Atienza 8, Trillo 3, Llamas 2, Almazan 0, Calianta 0, Dalaten 0, Echave 0, Sy 0, Tamayo 0, Reyes 0.
Ateneo 64 – Tan 15, Kallos 12, Gatmaitan 9, Aquino 6, Ngo 4, Jazul 4, Santos 0, Magpoc 0, Juangco 2, Bautista 0.
Quarterscores: 24-15, 47-35, 65-44, 91-64.
Third Game:
UST 108 – Cabanero 19, Bathan 17, Sy 12, Cinco 10, Sangki 9, Dela Cruz 8, Siguan 8, Javier 6, De Castro 5, Bohol 3, Castro 3, Valenzona 2, Aguilar 2, Guerrero 2, Knowles 2, Escobido 0.
AdU 67 – Cruz 17, Urbina 15, Borbon 12, Santiago 11, Bariacto 5, Fernandez 3, Liwanag 2, Pantia 2, Ching 0, Sambeli 0, Velasco 0, Hall 0.
Quarterscores: 32-12, 53-27, 83-50, 108-67.
