MVP frontrunner Cabs Cabonilas delivered an all-around performance as Far Eastern University-Diliman dispatched Adamson University, 84-65, to solidify its hold on first place in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament Sunday afternoon at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Cabonilas starred once again with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, 12 rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and two blocks as the Baby Tamaraws relied on a strong first-half performance to extend their winning streak to seven games.
In the earlier contest, Noah Banal came through when it mattered most, leading Ateneo de Manila University past University of the East for a gritty 67-58 triumph.
With the results, FEU-D remained in solo first place with an 8-1 win-loss record, while Ateneo strengthened its hold on second place with a 7-2 slate.
As of publishing, National University Nazareth School (6-2) is set to face defending champion University of Santo Tomas.
“I am aware naman na maski kahit ano sabihin ng coaches, pag nag-dilly dally yung mindset ng players, kahit anong paalala ng coach ay balewala rin. We constantly remind them na walang sure win sa UAAP ngayon. Walang sure win sa pitong laro per round — yon yung lagi ko pinapaalala sa kanila,” Baby Tamaraws head coach Mike Reyes said.
Building on a dominant 46-32 first half, Adamson showed signs of life by trimming a 16-point, 55-39 third-quarter deficit to an eight-point gap at 57-49, behind timely hits from Mac Jenodia, Chrys Gomez, and Kieff Iledan.
However, FEU-D quickly restored order as back-to-back triples from Adi Alagaban and Khean Esperanza, a Marc Burgos layup, and a Jastien Dagcutan free throw reestablished a 15-point, 66-51 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Baby Tamaraws sealed their eighth win in nine outings as a four-point spurt by Burgos, followed by a layup and triple from Sam Hall, kept the Baby Falcons down 74-54 with over six minutes remaining.
Burgos provided ample support with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, two rebounds, one assist, and one block, while Sam Hall contributed 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Esperanza added nine points, three assists, three steals, and one block, while JB Cagurungan and Alagaban chipped in six points each.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the other game, after a triple by Jay-M Leal gave the Blue Eagles a 54-47 advantage with over eight minutes left, the Junior Warriors mounted a crucial 8-0 run—capped by four inside points from Louie Bual, Jamal Diaz, and Ivorian center JM Edoukou—to take a narrow 55-54 lead with 4:59 remaining.
However, Ziv Espinas’ floater and Banal’s stepback jumper—after being limited to just four points on 1-of-6 shooting prior—put Ateneo back in control, aided by two technical fouls called on UE with 2:36 left.
In addition to committing a shooting foul, Diaz—who was previously called for a flagrant foul at the 5:20 mark of the second quarter—was ejected after receiving a technical foul for contesting Banal’s layup attempt. Junior Warriors head coach Karl Santos was also assessed a technical following a verbal altercation with the referee, awarding Banal four free throws.
Banal calmly converted all four free throws before making a layup that extended Ateneo’s lead to 64-55 with 1:10 left—a margin UE could not overcome as Mhico Abellar missed attempts from inside and beyond the arc that might have narrowed the gap.
“I think important pagusapan ang composure because it was a grind-it-out win. A win na super close talaga, the last ones were our lone losses in NUNS and Adamson. At least we won something na dikit talaga hanggang dulo and I think it’s important that everyone stays ready,” head coach Bacon Austria said as Ateneo bounced back from a narrow 78-81 loss to NUNS in its second-round opener last Sunday, February 8.
Eriobu led the Blue Eagles with 14 points, 22 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals, while Banal finished with 12 points, four steals, and one assist.
Leal added 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block, while Audwyn Tamayo provided the spark off the bench with 12 points—10 in the first half—along with three steals, two rebounds, and one assist.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Jarl Artango led Adamson (4-5) with 13 points, seven steals, three rebounds, and two assists, while Kevin Frogoso finished with 10 points, two assists, and one steal.
Noah Bautista scored nine points, along with five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, while Gomez also had nine points, four rebounds, and one steal.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Bual paced UE (3-6) with 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Diaz finished with 12 points and four rebounds.
Main gunner Ethan Aguas was limited to 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting but added nine rebounds, while running mate Sizco Roquid contributed nine points, four rebounds, two assists, and one block.
The Scores:
First Game:
Ateneo (67) – Eriobu 14, Leal 12, Tamayo 12, Banal 12, Kallos 8, Espinas 6, Gatmaitan 3, Kaw 0, Aquino 0, Madrangca 0.
UE (58) – Bual 13, Diaz 12, Aguas 10, Roquid 9, Delos Reyes 6, Abellar 3, Braga 2, Edoukou 2, Oraa 1, Timbol 0, Orca 0, Lorenzo 0, Panganiban 0, Pascual 0, Copada 0.
Quarterscores: 22-19, 44-34, 49-45, 67-58.
Second Game:
FEU-D (84) – Cabonilas 19, Burgos 18, Hall 11, Esperanza 9, Cagurungan 6, Alagaban 6, Dagcutan 5, Sohm 4, Carino 4, Raneses 2, Gaye 0, J. Santos 0, Dulin 0, D. Santos 0, Enriquez 0.
AdU (65) – Artango 13, Frogoso 10, Bautista 9, Gomez 9, Jenodia 8, Iledan 5, Flores 4, Babad 2, Alcartado 2, Garcia 2, Matillano 1, Saygo 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarterscores: 29-12, 46-32, 66-51, 84-65.
