MVP frontrunner Cabs Cabonilas delivered an all-around performance, as FEU-Diliman dispatched Adamson, 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 more 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 past University of the East for a gritty 67-58 triumph.
With the results, FEU-D remained in solo first at 8-1, while the Blue Eagles righted the ship for a 7-2 slate, good for second.
With the Baby Tams coming off a dominant 46-32 first half, the Baby Falcons 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 re-established a 15-point, 66-51 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
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, as JB Cagurungan and Alagaban chipped in six points each.
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.
Meanwhile, Banal finished with 12 points, four steals, and one assist, and was backstopped by Jude Eriobu with 14 points, 22 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals.
Jay-M Leal added 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block for the Blue Eagles, while Audwyn Tamayo provided spark off the bench with 12 points—10 in the first half—along with three steals, two rebounds, and one assist.
Louie Bual paced the Jr. Warriors (3-6) with 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, as Jamal Diaz finished with 12 points and four rebounds.
NUNS, Ateneo still share second
Tying Ateneo at second is NU-Nazareth School after repeating against defending champion University of Santo Tomas, 92-72.
Unlike their thrilling 78-74 first-round win over the Tiger Cubs last February 1, the Bullpups secured their fifth consecutive victory, as the trio of Shaun Lucido, Malian center Moussa Diakite, and Kurl Figueroa took control midway through the contest.
Lucido finished with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting, along with six assists and two rebounds, while Figueroa contributed an efficient 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting, five rebounds, and one block.
Diakite dominated the boards with a double-double of 12 points and 19 rebounds, adding three blocks and one assist, as Mot Matias posted nine points, eight assists, four rebounds, and one steal.
For UST, Joaqui Ludovice showed the way with 17 points on five triples, along with two assists and one rebound, while John Lee Melano added 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting, four rebounds, and one steal.
In the later game, De La Salle Zobel ended a three-game skid with a wire-to-wire 83-47 triumph over winless University of the Philippines Integrated School.
Nino Ferrer led four Jr. Archers in double-digits with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Champ Arejola contributed 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting, seven assists, and two steals.
Lead guard Maco Dabao also had 11 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist, as Nigerian center Yusuf Mikailu finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, and one block to help the green-and-white improve to a tie for fourth with Adamson at 4-5.
For the Jr. Maroons, Bruce Tubongbanua scored 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting, adding three rebounds and three assists, while Jhustin Hallare also posted 10 points alongside six rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
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.
Quarters: 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.
ADAMSON 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.
Quarters: 29-12, 46-32, 66-51, 84-65.
Third Game
NUNS 92 - Lucido 16, Figueroa 13, Diakite 12, M. Matias 9, Natinga 9, R. Matias 8, Cartel 8, Bouzina 5, Tulabut 5, Juan 3, Cabantog 2, Celiz 2, Mann 0, Manding 0, Sison 0, Timbang 0.
UST 72 - Ludovice 17, Melano 14, Esteban 8, Canapi 5, Pulongbarit 4, Cruz 4, Lapastora 4, Ajani 3, Bathan 3, Bohol 3, Bandigan 3, Canete 2, Vidanes 2, Sta. Maria 0.
Quarters: 22-16, 43-32, 72-56, 92-72.
Fourth Game
DLSZ 83 - Ferrer 12, Arejola 11, Dabao 11, Mikailu 10, Borrero 9, Favis 8, Alpapara 8, Llamasa 4, Atienza 4, Tan 4, Dimayuga 2, Reyes 0, Trillo 0, Alpapara 0.
UPIS 47 - Tubongbanua 10, Hallare 10, Lugatiman 10, Poquiz 8, Labao 6, Addatu 2, M. Rosete 1, Manguerra 0, Hernandez 0, Cobico 0, J. Rosete 0.
Quarters: 23-8, 40-27, 69-37, 83-47.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
