FEU-Diliman at cusp of postseason action

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament Standings

UE 11-0

FEU-D 8-2

UST 5-4

NUNS 5-5

DLSZ 4-5

Ateneo 4-6

ADU 2-8

UPIS 0-9

Games on Wednesday UST Quadricentennial Pavilion

8 a.m. -  UST vs NUNS (JHS)

10 a.m. - DLSZ vs UP (JHS)

12 p.m. - DLSU vs NU (Women)

2 p.m. -  DLSU vs NU (Men)

6:30 p.m. - UE vs Ateneo (Men)

Far Eastern University-Diliman asserted its mastery over Adamson University, notching a 96-84 victory to tally its second consecutive win in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Utilizing their momentum from an 83-79 win over the DLSZ Junior Archers last Wednesday, the Baby Tamaraws strengthened their grip on solo second place with an 8-2 slate.

They are now 2.5 games ahead of the UST Tiger Cubs, who hold a 5-4 card, for the second seed.

“Napakaimportante nitong laro na ito. Ito yung paraan para makakuha ka ng ticket papunta sa Final Four at buti nakakabanko na kami ng panalo heading into the last few games,” FEU-D head coach Muriel Garcia said.

The Baby Tamaraws turned a slim 32-25 advantage to a 57-36 first half cushion after closing the second period with a 25-11 surge powered by the likes of CP Miranda, Mark Dulin, Lakay Pasinos, Denden Enriquez, and Duke Santos.

Nine straight points by Aurelio Fransman and two free throws by Prince Banate pulled the Baby Falcons to within nine points, 69-60, after succumbing to an early 69-49 deficit to open the third frame. However, FEU-D quickly responded with straight baskets by Anton Lopez and Santos to retake a 78-60 advantage heading into the payoff period.

A late 22-6 run by Adamson trimmed its deficit to eight with less than 2:30 left, 90-82, but FEU-D’s commanding 24-point lead to open the fourth period proved to be too insurmountable to overcome.

The victory further allowed the Baby Tamaraws to stamp their class over the Baby Falcons, whom they convincingly defeated with an 81-55 decision in their season opener last September 8.

“Sinanay namin yung bata kailangan yung composure nila intact. Dapat hindi nila makalimutan kung ano yung pinagusapan namin sa depensa. Yung Adamson kasi, magaling kasi sa rebounds yan ‘eh, so dapat bago sila magrebound na yung tao niyo nakalock na sa kanila,” Garcia added.

Pasinos led the Baby Tamaraws’ charge with 22 points (16 in the first half) to go along with nine rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, while Lopez tallied 19 points, eight assists, three rebounds, and one steal.

Dulin chipped in 12 points, six rebounds, six steals, one assist, and one block, while Miranda contributed 11 points, five assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Enriquez enjoyed an all-around outing with eight points, six assists, four rebounds, and one steal.

Looking ahead, FEU-D looks to clinch its third straight victory in a clash against a winless University of the Philippines Integrated School side next Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

After pulling off a stunning win over Ateneo, Adamson suffered its eighth loss of the season to remain at seventh place in the eight-team league with a 2-8 card.

Chrys Gomez paced the Baby Falcons in the losing effort with 19 points, six assists, two steals, and one rebound, while Fransman tallied 15 points, five assists, three rebounds, and two steals.

Craig Fongtong nearly tallied a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds to go along with four assists and two blocks, while Jenhuar Tiamzon also scored 14 points, four assists, and three rebounds. Edison Jordan chipped in 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Adamson, on the other hand, seeks to return to the win column when it battles the undefeated University of the East at the same date and venue.

First Game:

FEU (96) - Pasinos 22, Lopez 19, Dulin 12, Miranda 11, Santos 10, Enriquez 8, Victoria 7, Cariño 4, Lassiter 3, Pineda 0, Barlan 0, Diaz 0, Daa 0, Adriano 0, Chavez 0.

AdU (84) - Gomez 19, Fransman 15, Fongtong 14, Tiamzon 14, Jordan 10, Banate 6, Iledan 2, Jordan 2, Azurias , Ondevilla 0, Ang 0.

Quarterscores: 27-20, 57-36, 78-60, 96-84