FAR EASTERN University-Diliman showed poise down the stretch, outlasting a hard-luck De La Salle-Zobel team, 78-72, to gain solo second in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at Adamson Gym.
The Baby Tamaraws, now on a two-game winning streak after falling to the UE Junior Warriors last week, engaged in a closely contested match with the Junior Archers, who were desperate to snap their frustrating losing streak.
After a tense battle that featured six deadlocks and nine lead changes, it was the Baby Tamaraws who exhibited composure when it mattered most.
With just 5:45 left and a narrow 68-67 lead, Lakay Pasinos took charge for the Baby Tams, igniting an 8-2 run that created separation from the Junior Archers and ultimately secured their fourth victory in five outings.
“Unang-una, grateful ako sa mga kasama kong coaches, lalong lalo na kay Coach Denok (Miranda, FEU Head of Basketball Ops). Gusto ko yung nireremind ako ng nireremind,” said Baby Tamaraws head coach Muriel Garcia.
“Sinabi namin sa mga bata na kung sanay kayo na blow-by ang laro, marunong din dapat kayo maglaro ng dikitan at crucial. Stick lang sa defense natin at tanggalin yung kumpyansa nila.”
Pasinos, a member of last season’s silver medal-winning Baby Tams team, delivered a stellar performance, posting a double-double with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting and grabbing 12 rebounds while Prince Carino added 18 points.
Mark Dulin and Duke Santos also rose to the occasion, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively, as CP Miranda was limited due to a sprained right ankle sustained on Tuesday.
Heady floor general Anton Lopez played a vital role, dishing out 10 assists to glue things together for FEU-D.
“By Sunday ready na siya,” Garcia said regarding CP Miranda as they prepare to face Ateneo next.
For the Junior Archers, the duo of Melvin Tailan and Vince Magan shone brightly, each contributing 17 points, with Tailan also securing eight rebounds.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
DLSZ suffered its third consecutive loss, falling to 2-3, tying with National University Nazareth School, which defeated Adamson 73-62 later in the day, at fifth.
Big man Josh Vitug excelled on both ends, scoring 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while limiting Adamson ace Craig Fongtong to just four points on 2-of-10 shooting from the field.
Lanky winger Chester Tulabut added a solid performance with 14 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, and a block, helping the Bullpups bounce back from a heartbreaking 83-84 loss to the UST Tiger Cubs last weekend.
The Baby Falcons, still searching for their first win of the season, were led by Edison Jordan, who recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The Scores:
First Game
FEU-D 78 – Pasinos 21, Carino 18, Dulin 13, Santos 12, Lopez 5, Enriquez 4, Miranda 4, Lassiter 1, Pineda 0, Pingris 0, Victoria 0.
DLSZ 72 – Tailan 17, Magan 17, Luna 15, Apao 13, Tan 4, Centeno 3, Maglipon 3, Rivera 0, Purugganan I. 0, Llamas 0, Purugganan E. 0.
Quarterscores: 20-25, 42-42, 61-54, 78-72.
Second Game:
NUNS 73 – Vitug 16, Tulabut 14, Sabareza 12, Tadeo 10, Pena 7, Khobuntin 6, Pena 3, Reroma 2, Toring 2, Urea 1, Gutierrez 0, Maranan 0.
ADU 62 – Jordan KE 15, Iledan 14, Gomez 11, Damian 5, Fransman 5, Fongton 4, Ondevilla 4, Alcantara 4, Tuazon 0, Jordan KA 0, Azurias 0, Tiamzon 0, Ang 0.
Quarterscores: 19-10, 39-29, 60-44, 73-62.
