FAR Eastern University-Diliman delivered an emphatic statement to open the UAAP Season 85 boys basketball tournament, trouncing Ateneo by 35 points, 85-50, on Sunday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
JR Pasaol, the younger brother of Meralco forward Alvin, introduced himself with a solid 14-point showing, to go with six assists, four rebounds, and four steals to signal the festive return of high school hoops after almost three years of inactivity.
He joined forces with second generation players Liam Salangsang, the son of six-year PBA veteran Allan, who also nabbed 14 points, five boards, two dimes, and two steals, and Dwyne Miranda, the son of two-time PBA champion Denok, who registered 12 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Kirby Mongcopa added 13 points, five boards, and three blocks for the Baby Tamaraws, who held the Blue Eaglets to just 26.2-percent shooting from the field and forced them to commit 28 turnovers in the contest.
Gilas Youth guard Lebron Nieto, younger brother of PBA players Matt and Mike, led Ateneo with eight points, three rebounds, and two assists in the loss.
Defending champion National University-Nazareth School opened its title-retention bid with a close 79-76 nipping of Adamson.
Reinhard Jumamoy came alive late, firing four treys for his 19 points while rounding out his all-around performance with eight rebounds, five assists, and six steals to negate his seven turnovers.
RJ Colonia contributed 14 points, eight coming in the payoff period, to go with six boards, and six dimes, as Aga Clarito got 12 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and two assists for the Bullpups.
Teabol Garcia led the Baby Falcons with 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists, Carlo Bonzalida got 14 points and nine boards, and Zahir Sajili came off the bench and produced 10 points, eight rebounds, and four steals.
In the other games, University of Santo Tomas clipped La Salle-Zobel, 56-46.
James Jumao-as topscored for the Tiger Cubs with 17 points and four boards, while Charles Esteban and JP Pangilinan registered identical 10-point, 3-rebound statlines.
Ryhle Melencio led the Junior Archers with his double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds.
University of the Philippines Integrated School also hacked out a 101-94 win over University of the East.
Basty Jacob's 19 points, nine rebounds, and four steals anchored the five Junior Maroons to score in double figures.
Daryl Valdeavilla chimed in 18 points and six boards, Jonas Napalang had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Gilas Youth center Kobe Demisana nabbed 17 points, 14 boards, four assists, four blocks, and two steals.
JD Malonzo carried the fight for the Junior Warriors with 15 points in the defeat.
The scores:
First Game:
UPIS 101 - Jacob 19, Valdevilla 18, Demisana 17, Napalang 17, Melicor 16, Raymundo 9, Villaverde 3, Cordero 2, Mendoza 0.
UE 94 - Malonzo 15, De Leon 13, Gragasin 13, Caldit 9, Morales 9, Pangilinan 8, V. Reyes 8, Gatchalian 5, Duque 4, Bagro 3, F. Reyes 3, Isip 2, Flores 2, Roldan 0, Ramos 0.
Quarters: 20-18, 40-47, 69-70, 86-86, 101-95.
Second Game:
UST 56 - Jumao-as 17, Pangilinan 10, Esteban 10, Llemit 7, Bucsit 6, Pantaleon 6, Ayon 0, Velasquez 0, Miaco 0, Buenaflor 0, Tesocan 0, Manding 0, Naron 0.
LA SALLE-ZOBEL 46 - Melencio 13, San Agustin 9, Alas 9, Dimaano 7, Melecio 4, Espina 2, Pabellano 2, Sta. Maria 0, Chang 0, Cruz 0.
Quarters: 8-15, 17-26, 38-38, 56-46.
Third Game
FEU-DILIMAN 85 - Pasaol 14, Salangsang 14, Mongcopa 13, Miranda 12, Cabonilas 8, Pascual 5, Pre 5, Daa 5, Cabigting 3, Bautista 2, Maierhofer 2, Felipe 2, Burgos 0, Herbito 0, Baricaua 0, Castillejos 0.
ATENEO 50 - Nieto 8, Salandanan 7, Delos Santos 6, Arada 5, De Guzman 4, Porter 4, Prado 3, Ebdane 2, Adevoso 2, Asistio 2, Santiago 2, Aguirre 2, Tupas 2, Fidel 1, Domangcas 0.
Quarters: 26-11, 44-28, 65-37, 85-50.
Fourth Game
NSNU 79 - Jumamoy 19, Colonia 14, Clarito 12, Alfanta 11, Herrera 10, Timbang 5, Tagotongan 3, Yusi 3, Perciano 2, Solomon 0, Usop 0.
ADAMSON 76 - Garcia 17, Bonzalida 14, Sajili 10, Reyes 9, Medina 9, Rosillo 7, Edding 3, Carillo 3, Mepaña 2, Culdura 2, Abayon 0, De Jesus 0, Perez 0.
Quarters: 12-17, 38-45, 49-61, 79-76.
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