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| c/o UAAP Media Team |
Games Sunday at Filoil EcoOil Centre
8 a.m. – UST vs Ateneo (Girls)
10 a.m. – AdU vs NUNS (Boys)
12 noon – DLSZ vs UPIS (Boys)
2 p.m. – FEU-D vs Ateneo (Boys)
4 p.m. – UST vs UE (Boys)
DEFENDING champion Adamson University and University of the East remain locked in a tight battle for the fourth spot in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Basketball Final Four race, both securing victories to open the second round, Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Baby Falcons escaped with a narrow 58-57 win over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles to bounce back from their previous loss to National University Nazareth School, while the Junior Warriors cruised past the University of the Philippines Integrated School Fighting Maroons, 85-72, for their second straight victory.
With these results, both teams are tied in the standings at 4-4.
De La Salle-Zobel (3-4) is still playing against University of Santo Tomas (6-1) as of publishing.
It was a hard-fought win for Adamson, needing a clutch free throw and a crucial defensive stop to fend off the upset-seeking Blue Eagles.
“Nahirapan talaga kami. Problema kasi namin, we are so erratic—especially the bigs,” lamented long-time Adamson head coach Mike Fermin. “Yung bigs namin, we need production from them. Etong guards, given na yan.”
With 4.8 seconds left, Johnrey Abayon drew a foul from Renzo Gatmaitan and had a chance for an and-one play, but Zahir Sajili’s interference by hanging on the net resulted in an offensive violation.
Abayon then split his free throws, leaving Ateneo with one final opportunity.
Off a timeout, Jay-M Leal received the inbound pass but was forced into a turnover by Mark Esperanza as time expired, sealing the win for Adamson.
“Yung bigs namin, talagang absent sila. Sana naman may dalawa o isa sa kanila mag-step up, then we are going to be fine. We are looking for those big guys at sana mag-step up na sila this round,” added Fermin. Despite Allen Perez’s efficient 4-of-4 shooting for 12 points and eight rebounds, he struggled defensively against Leal, who finished with 12 points and nine boards.
Jireh Tumaneng, Adamson’s other big man, saw only one minute and 20 seconds of action.
Esperanza led the Baby Falcons with 13 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals, while Earl Medina added 12 points and nine rebounds. Both players logged over 34 minutes on the floor.
Adamson trailed by as much as 12 points, 24-12, in the second quarter before Medina ignited a third-quarter rally, outscoring Ateneo 16-8 in the period to set up their late-game surge.
On the other hand, UE utilized all 16 players in their roster against UPIS.
With the game out of reach late in the third quarter—UE leading 68-43—second-year head coach Karl Santos opted to give his reserves valuable playing time.
“Galing kaming three straight losses tapos ngayon nakuha na namin yung back-to-back wins. Hopefully, maging confidence-booster ito heading into our game against UST,” said Santos.
“Kahit papano, medyo disappointing din kasi we wanted to have a strong finish. I wanted to play my bench sa duluhan with confidence heading nga sa next game namin. Pero again, happy pa rin ako. Panalo naman e,” he added, expressing slight frustration as the third-stringers struggled to maintain their momentum in the final 10 minutes.
Cebuano guard Lance Sabroso led UE with 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 24 minutes of play, while Edry Alejandro contributed 12 points and five rebounds in just 12 minutes.
Topeng Lagat and Jean Bana chipped in nine points each, as all but two UE players—Daniel Chua and Sizco Roquid—managed to score.
Both teams will face the top dogs in their next outings.
Adamson takes on league-leading NUNS on Sunday, while UE faces UST on the same day.
“Collective effort lang talaga, especially sa defensive side. We are pushing our bigs to go above their level. Kung titignan mo yung apat na teams sa ibabaw namin, magagaling talaga yung bigs. Kami yun last year. Pero hindi na tayo yun ngayon at kailangan pa namin magtrabaho,” Fermin said about facing the Bullpups, who defeated them 73-60 in the first round.
“Right now, alam natin yung kayang bigay ng UST. We’ll prepare hard because we need that game. Nagpi-peak na sila e and hopefully, sana kami rin. Definitely, we’ll take the challenge,” Santos added regarding the Tiger Cubs, who bested them 69-59 in the season opener.
Ateneo, fresh off its breakthrough win last Sunday, was led by Chris Urbina’s 12 points, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Lans Lagdamen added 11 points.
Meanwhile, UPIS continues to search for its first victory, with Ethan Egea and Bruce Tubongbanua leading the charge with 18 points apiece.
Egea also recorded nine rebounds and six assists.
UP greats Javi and Juan Gomez de Liaño, who currently play in the Korean Basketball League, were in attendance to support their alma mater and their younger brother, Jaime, who finished with 12 points and eight rebounds before fouling out with 30 seconds left in the game.
The Scores:
First Game (Boys)
ADU 58 - Esperanza 13, Medina 12 , Abayon 12, Perez 12, Sajili 4, Umali 3, Decatoria 2, De Jesus 0, Tumaneng 0, Artango 0, Matiliano 0.
Ateneo 57 - Urbina 12, Leal 12, Lagdamen 11, Tan 9, Gatmaitan 9, Delos Santos 2, Lacsamana 2, Asistio 0, Reyes 0, Silvestre 0, Ymasa 0.
Quarterscores: 12-16, 26-33, 42-41, 58-57.
Second Game (Boys)
UE 85 - Sabroso 14, Alejandro 12, Lagat 9, Bana 9, Timbol 6, Almanza 6, Lorenzo 5, Bual 5, Diaz 4, Diaz 4, Aguas 4, Cuevas 4, Dahino 4, Farochilen 4, Abellar 1, Chua 0, Roquid 0.
UPIS 72 - Egea 18, Tubongbanua 18, Melicor 15, Gomez de Liano 12, Hallare 6, Coronel 1, Uvero 0, Poquiz 0, Hernandez 0, Cobico 0, Pascual 0
Quartercores: 26-19, 47-36, 68-49, 85-72.
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