Edison Jordan drained the go-ahead layup as Adamson University pulled off a thrilling 83-82 overtime victory over defending champion University of the East, halting a two-game slide in the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament, Saturday morning at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Limited to just 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting, Jordan showed nerves of steel in the clutch, sinking the game’s decisive basket to propel the Baby Falcons to a 4-2 win-loss record — already surpassing last season’s total of three wins in 14 outings.
“For me, sa totoo lang, it shows their character nga na yes, we fumble and we falter, but in the end, the guys will pick up and will try to win the game. I think the resiliency of these kids is really very, very good,” Adamson head coach Dante Tongco said.
In the second game, University of Santo Tomas leaned on Miguel Jubilado’s 27-point explosion to spoil Ateneo de Manila University’s home court advantage, 83-74.
After Fran Flores split his free throws, Adamson stayed within striking distance in overtime. Sean Felizmenia threw an errant pass to Mark Pedrigon, leaving the door open at 81-82 with 21.6 seconds remaining.
Jordan’s first attempt at the go-ahead basket was blocked by Goodluck Okebata, but the 6-foot point guard from Bustos, Bulacan wasted no time redeeming himself. He stole the ball from Hero Delos Santos and converted the go-ahead layup with 15 seconds left, giving the Baby Falcons a slim one-point lead.
UE had one final chance to spoil Jordan’s heroics, but Adamson’s aggressive defense swarmed Okebata’s inside attempt, sealing the Baby Falcons’ fourth win in six outings.
Keefe Iledan top-scored for Adamson with 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Vengcs Vengco added 13 points and seven rebounds.
Jordan finished with 12 points, four assists, three steals, and three rebounds, while Kyle Abas — whose and-one conversion came at the 12.5-second mark of the fourth period — contributed an all-around stat line of 10 points, eight rebounds, five blocks, and four steals.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For the Junior Warriors, Okebata led in a losing effort with a dominant double-double of 22 points and 21 rebounds, adding five steals, two blocks, and two assists.
Zion Aguilar also shone with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block before fouling out with 2:22 left in overtime.
James Mesa tallied a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Perdigon added 12 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, UST’s Tiger Cubs staged a late surge to beat Ateneo, thanks to a 17-2 run late in the third period.
Two free throws by Sky Jazul had given the Blue Eagles a 63-52 lead with 3:20 remaining in the third, but UST clawed back to a 69-65 cushion by the 7:49 mark of the fourth frame.
Ateneo kept pace, even taking a 74-73 lead on a three-pointer by Enzo Divinagracia, but the Tiger Cubs stayed clutch, scoring 10 straight points — capped by a Jacob Datu triple and a seven-point swing by Jubilado — to take an 83-74 lead with 49.9 seconds left.
“Masaya ako, especially sa pinakita nila sa fourth quarter kasi naglaro sila nang maayos. Pinaka-crucial kasi talaga yung fourth quarter ‘eh. At least nailabas nila yung kailangan nila ilabas, pero hindi pa rin ako contented kasi mahirap pa rin yung mga susunod na kalaban,” UST head coach Noli Mejos said, as the Tiger Cubs improved to 3-2 for a share of fourth place with the Junior Warriors.
Jubilado powered UST with 27 points on 12-of-16 shooting, along with 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block.
Rowie Cabañero, despite fouling out at the 2:06 mark of the final quarter, recorded a double-double of 14 points and 11 assists, plus six rebounds and three steals.
Gab Castro also had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Dave Regala finished with eight points and 13 boards.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For Ateneo, Sky Jazul tallied 21 points, six rebounds, and three steals, while Divinagracia added 15 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals before being stretchered off at the 3:50 mark due to an apparent shoulder injury.
The Scores:
First Game:
AdU (83) – Iledan 19, Vengco 13, Flores 12, E. Jordan 12, Abas 10, Del Monte 8, Esma 7, Padrejuan 2, A. Jordan 0.
UE (82) – Okebata 22, Aguilar 20, Mesa 13, Perdigon 12, Felizmenia 9, Delos Santos 4, Mallabo 2, Ancheta 0, Roxas 0, Mercado 0.
Quarterscores: 25-20, 41-36, 62-53, 76-76 (reg.), 83-82 (OT).
Second Game:
UST (83) – Jubilado 27, Cabañero 14, Castro 14, Datu 8, Regala 8, Anggot 6, Tabbuga 3, Guinto 2, Villacarlos 1.
Ateneo (74) – Jazul 21, Divinagracia 15, Dela Rosa 13, Ylen 10, David 9, Juangco 3, Cayabyab 2, Yoro 1, Ngo 0, Castro 0, Fresnido 0, Bernarte 0, Hwang 0.
Quarterscores: 24-23, 42-49, 62-65, 83-74.
