Cabs Cabonilas powered Far Eastern University-Diliman to a resounding statement win to open the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament, stunning defending champions Adamson University, 75-71, on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Cabonilas, a member of the Gilas Youth team, showcased his national team experience by delivering a stellar double-double of 25 points and 17 rebounds, along with four assists and four steals.
“Nag-stick lang kami sa game plan. Kung ano yung game plan namin sa practice, adjust lang ng onti kasi may kumpyansa naman ako dito sa mga bata ko na ma-oovercome nila,” said debuting Baby Tamaraws head coach Denok Miranda, who replaced Allan Albano in the offseason.
“Yung mga na-experience namin over the past seasons and session sa ensayo, nakatulong ‘yon para sa pagbawi namin ngayong season.”
Adamson seized momentum late in the third quarter with a 16-5 surge, entering the final frame with a 46-43 lead.
But FEU-D quickly responded with a decisive 19-4 run, building a 62-50 cushion with 5:52 remaining.
The Baby Falcons refused to go down quietly, as Mark Esperanza, Henry Penafiel, Earl Medina, and CJ Umali engineered a rally, trimming the deficit to just 70-69 with 1:37 left.
Cabonilas then took over in the clutch, scoring four of FEU-D’s final five points, including a crucial three-pointer and a free throw, to secure the victory.
Marc Burgos contributed significantly with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Liam Salangsang added 17 points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
Esperanza led the Baby Falcons with an all-around performance of 19 points, six assists, five rebounds, and three steals.
Medina chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, three steals, one block, and one assist. Meanwhile, Penafiel made an impact in his debut with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from deep, along with two rebounds and one assist.
Joining FEU-Diliman as opening-day winners were National University Nazareth School, University of the East, and De La Salle-Zobel.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Collins Akowe carried the Bullpups to a dominant 71-60 wire-to-wire victory over the UST Tiger Cubs which saw the reigning MVP tally an impressive 21 points, 25 rebounds, and four blocks.
“Wala na ako mahihiling [kay Collins] ‘eh, alam ko naman na trinatrabaho niya, nagiimprove siya. Pero you have to get this right coming into college. Kung saan ‘man siya maglalaro sa college, this is the time na you have to enhance yung mga kulang mo pa coming into college,” said Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro.
The Bullpups built a commanding 48-27 halftime lead, but UST mounted a spirited comeback, cutting the deficit to 65-55 with 5:52 remaining.
Key baskets from Akowe and Macmac Alfanta sealed the win despite UST’s late push.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the UE Junior Warriors spoiled Ford Arao’s coaching debut for the Ateneo Blue Eagles with an 88-80 triumph while DLSZ edged UP Integrated School in a thrilling 79-77 overtime win
UE capitalized on a blazing fourth-quarter start, building an 80-69 lead with 5:45 remaining, thanks to Xedric Diaz’s floater and a triple from Lagat.
UE’s Lance Sabroso was instrumental with 14 points, eight rebounds, and two steals, while Louie Bual and Martin Almanza added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
“Isang pamilya kami ‘eh… Mas gutom kami ngayon kasi as much as possible, gusto namin na since nakuha na ng 16-under, kami naman. We know it’s gonna be hard, but motivation din sa amin ‘yon na may 20+ years drought. Secondly, nag-champion yung 16-under team namin,” said UE head coach Karl Santos.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Led by Kieffer Alas, who scored six of the Junior Archers’ seven points in the extra period, the Junior Archers avoided an upset at the hands of the Fighting Maroons.
Alas finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and one block in his first game since an ACL injury last June.
Bonn Daja was pivotal with a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds, while Maco Dabao added 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UPIS, despite the absence of top scorer Bruce Tubongbanua in overtime due to foul trouble, put up a valiant effort led by Ethan Egea’s triple-double of 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Tubongbanua contributed 19 points and nine rebounds before fouling out.
The Scores:
First Game
FEU-D (75) – Cabonilas 25, Burgos 19, Salangsang 17, Pascual 8, Raneses 2, Castillejos 2, De Guzman 2, Godoy 0, Hall 0, Gemao 0, Maierhofer 0, Esperanza 0.
AdU (71) – Esperanza 19, Medina 14, Peñafiel 12, Perez 7, Umali 7, Matillano 4, De Jesus 4, Sajili 2, Abayon 2, Tumaneng 0, Artango 0.
Quarterscores: 17-10, 31-26, 43-46, 75-71.
Second Game
NUNS (71) – Akowe 21, Alfanta 15, Napa 8, Locsin 6, Natinga 5, Figueroa 4, Cartel 3, Palanca 3, Nepacena 2, Solomon 2, Matias 1, Usop 1.
UST (60) – Bucsit 15, Esteban 13, Ludovice 9, Kane 8, Catalan 8, Buenaflor 3, Cañete 2, Manding 2, Cinco 0, Vidanes 0, Acido 0, Solon 0.
Quarterscores: 23-8, 48-27, 60-48, 71-60.
Third Game
UE (88) – Lagat 16, Sabroso 14, Bual 12, Almanza 11, Bana 8, Diaz 7, Lorenzo 7, Alejandro 4, Chua 2, Aguas 2, Timbol 2, Cuevas 2, Dahino 1, Farochilen 0.
Ateneo (80) – Leal 19, Tan 18, Espinas 12, Urbina 8, Delos Santos 8, Lacsamana 8, Gatmaitan 4, Reyes 2, Aquino 1, Kallos 0, Asistio 0, Ymasa 0.
Quarterscores: 25-24, 44-47, 69-62, 88-80.
Fourth Game
DLSZ (79) – Daja 21, Alas 16, Dabao 15, Favis 7, Espinosa 5, Atienza 4, Lopez 4, Reguera 3, Tailan 2, Mben 2, Arejola 0, Alpapara Jo. 0, Alpapara Ja. 0, Borrero 0.
UPIS (77) – Tubongbanua 19, Melicor 15, Egea 14, Gomez de Liaño 11, Hallare 11, Uvero 7, Coronel 0, Hernandez 0.
Quarterscores: 14-14, 31-31, 52-56, 72-72, 79-77.
