FEU-DILIMAN sent an early statement in the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball tournament, starting strong and finishing fine for a well-earned 75-71 win against defending champion Adamson, Sunday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Cabs Cabonilas led the charge with a 25-point, 17-rebound double-double on top of four assists and four steals, while Marc Burgos pounded in 19 markers and 10 boards of his own off the bench.
The Baby Tamaraws raced to a seven-point lead after the opening salvo before the Baby Falcons recovered behind Mark Esperanza, last season's Finals MVP. Come the final frame, however, FEU-D sealed the deal through a 32-point outburst to ring in a new era under the guidance of Denok Miranda with a convincing victory.
Cabonilas, a mainstay in Gilas Pilipinas Youth, proved primed for leadership with Veejay Pre, Dwyne Miranda, and Jedric Daa no longer Baby Tams. Right there with him as well was Liam Salangsang who poured in 17 points built from four triples.
For Adamson, Esperanza also looked the part of top gun, taking over for Tebol Garcia, with 19 points, six assists, five rebounds, and three steals, as Earl Medina backstopped him with 14 markers and seven boards. The bigs, however, will have to step up more following the loss of Vince Reyes, as they were outrebounded 52-38.
Bullpups use same old recipe for success
NU-Nazareth School, the other finalist a year ago, then rode the broad shoulders of reigning MVP Collins Akowe past UST, 71-60.
Akowe dominated with a double-double of 21 points and 26 rebounds, turning his anticipated duel with Tiger Cubs foreign student-athlete Racine Kane into a mismatch.
Mac Alfanta contributed 15 markers in efficient 63-percent shooting to make sure the Bullpups kicked off their campaign on the right foot.
NUNS' Nigerian 18-year-old big allowed his side to own the paint, where they outscored UST, 44-20, while also boasting of a massive 67-51 advantage on the boards.
Charles Bucsit top-scored for the Tiger Cubs with 15 points, as lead guard Joaqui Ludovice was shackled to nine markers in miserable 1-of-12 shooting from the field.
READ: Tiger Cubs dedicate UAAP Season 87 to teammate set for brain surgery
Senegalese Kane had a solid debut with eight points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks, but was nonetheless no match for Akowe's prowess.
Other Day 1 winners were De La Salle Zobel and UE who trumped separate opponents to join FEU-Diliman and NUNS as early leaders.
The Jr. Archers needed an extension, but still managed to put away eight-man University of the Philippines Integrated School, 79-77, in overtime.
Gilas Youth big Bonn Daja fronted the attack with 21 points and 15 rebounds and continued to play big in extra time, as DLSZ overcame ice-cold days from the field by Kieffer Alas and Maco Dabao who combined for 31 points on 12-of-42 shooting.
The Jr. Warriors, for their part, counted four players in double-figures to down misfiring Ateneo, 88-80.
Kristoper Lagat fired 16 points in just eight shots, while Lance Sabroso (14), Louie Bual (12) and Martin Almanza (11) also came through to offset a four-point showing from main man Edry Alejandro. The red-and-white defense also impressed, especially from behind the arc, as it only allowed two makes out of 18 triple tries by the Blue Eagles.
UPIS and Ateneo were paced by Bruce Tubongbanua (19 points, nine rebounds) and Jay Leal (19 points, nine rebounds), respectively.
The Scores:
First Game
FEU-DILIMAN 75 - Cabonilas 25, Burgos 19, Salangsang 17, Pascual 8, Raneses 2, Castillejos 2, De Guzman 2, Godoy 0, Hall 0, Gemao 0, Maierhofer 0 , Esperanza 0
ADAMSON 71 - Esperanza 19, Medina 14, Penafiel 12, Perez 7, Umali 7, Matilliano 4, De Jesus 4, Sajili 2, Abayon 2, Tumaneng 0, Artango 0
Quarters: 17-10, 31-26, 43-46, 75-71
Second Game
NUNS 71 - Akowe 21, Alfanta 15, Napa 8, Locsin 6, Natinga 5, Figueroa 4, Cartel 3, Palanca 3, Nepacena 2, Solomon 2, Matias 1, Usop 1
UST 60 - Bucsit 15, Esteban 13, Ludovice 9, Kane 8, Catalan 8, Buenaflor 3, Canete 2, Manding 2, Cinco 0, Vidanes 0, Acido 0, Solon 0
Quarters: 23-8, 48-27, 60-48, 71- 60
Third Game
UE 88 - Lagat 16, Sabroso 14, Bual 12, Almanza 11, Bana 8, Diaz 7, Lorenzo 7, Alejandro 4, Chua 2, Aguas 2, Timbol 2, Cuevas 2, Dahino 1, Farochillen 0
ATENEO 80 - Leal 19, Tan 18, Espinas 12, Urbina 8, Delos Santos 8, Lacasamana 8, Gatmaitan 4, Reys 2, Aquino 1, Kallos 0, Asistio 0, Ymasa 0
Quarters: 25-24, 44-47, 69-62, 88-80
Fourth Game
DLSZ 79 - Daja 21, Alas, 16, Davao 15, Favis 7, Espinosa 5, Atienza 4, Lopez 4, Reguera 3, Tailan 2, Mben 2, Arejola 0, Alpapara Jo 0, Borrero 0, Alpapara Ja 0
UPIS 77 - Tubongbanua 19, Melicor 15, Egea 14, Gomez de Liano 11, Hallare 11, Uvero 7, Coronel 0, Hernandez 0
Quarters: 14-14, 31-31, 52-56, 72-72, 79-77 (OT)
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