ATENEO pulled off a dramatic comeback to force a playoff for the second seed, stunning FEU-Diliman 86-82 at home in the UAAP Season 88 boys' basketball tournament on Sunday.
After leading for most of the game, the Baby Tamaraws squandered a 13-point advantage midway through the fourth quarter, as the Blue Eagles went on a 17-7 run to cut the deficit to a single point, 75-74.
Jay-M Leal then converted a basket underneath to give Ateneo its first lead with nine ticks left.
Marc Burgos answered with a layup off a drop pass from Cabs Cabonilas to regain the lead, 77-76, but Noah Banal drove to the lane and drew a foul on Cabonilas, sending the MVP frontrunner out of the game.
Banal’s split free throws forced overtime, where Jude Eriobu and Leal carried the Blue Eagles to complete the comeback.
Eriobu finished with a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Leal and Banal added 19 and 17 markers, respectively.
“I think it starts with me to show them that I can do it. If I show them panic, if I show them that I'm rattled, usually players get rattled and they panic as well,” head coach Bacon Austria stated.
“I think that's the important thing. Composure starts with the coach, I think. Yes, there are times that I cannot control everything. Sixteen players and it's hard to control. But at least, you start something that they could see and they could follow,” the first-year mentor added.
On the other side, Cabonilas listed out 22 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Burgos and Yosef Rañeses also tallied 18 and 17, respectively.
NUNS' top dogs
In the earlier matchup, NU-Nazareth School secured the top seed and the first twice-to-beat incentive after dispatching De La Salle Zobel, 83-66, for its 14th straight Final Four appearance.
A 26-6 third quarter blitz and a balanced scoring effort powered the Bullpups to the wire-to-wire victory, stretching their winning streak to 10 games, heading into the Final Four where they will yet again meet the fourth-seeded Jr. Archers.
Kurl Figueroa finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Corian Cabantog and Rhon-J Matias added 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
“Sa akin kasi, ano eh, yun nga, malaking losses yung nawala talaga last year, pero masasabi ko, this team is different. Kumbaga, masasabi ko this team is full of surprises,” said head coach Kevin De Castro, talking about their post-Collins Akowe era.
DLSZ was paced by Maco Dabao, who tallied 10 points, four steals, and two assists.
Fine finishes
University of the East capped its season on a high note after surviving a late Adamson scare, 77-73.
Drei Lorenzo spearheaded the Jr. Warriors with 19 points, eight rebounds, and one assist, backed up by Mhico Abellar who had 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
UE finished with a 5-9 record to place fifth in the standings, while the Baby Falcons wound up seventh at 4-10.
Jarl Antango top-scored for Adamson with 18 points, while Francel Flores and Mac Jenodia chipped in 17 and 13 markers, respectively.
University of Santo Tomas also concluded its campaign with a 5-9 slate after disposing of the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 98-43.
Jetlee Melano gathered 17 points, and 10 rebounds while Charles Esteban also picked up 10 markers for the Tiger Cubs.
The Jr. Maroons were paced by Bruce Tubongbanua who scored nine points and nine rebounds.
The Scores:
First Game
NUNS 83 - Figueroa 14, Cabantog 12, R. Matias 10, Cartel 9, Bouzina 8, Lucido 8, Natinga 5, Diakite 5, T. Matias 4, Juan 2, Tulabut 2, Sison 2, Mann 2, Manding 0, Timbang 0
DLSZ 66 - Dabao 10, Reyes 9, Llamas 7, Alpapara 7, Favis 5, Arejola 5, Luna 5, Trillo 5, Mikailu 4, Alpapara 4, Borrero 3, Tan 2, Dimayuga 0
Quarters: 26-20, 44-38, 70-44, 83-66
Second Game
UE 77 - Lorenzo 19, Abellar 12, Aguas 10, Diaz 10, Edoukou 5, Bual 4, Pascual 4, Roquid 4, Orca 3, Braga 2, Oraa 2, Panganiban 2, Copada 0, Ferreros 0
ADAMSON 73 - Artango 18, Flores 17, Jenodia 13, Bautista 7, Gomez 6, Frogoso 4, Babad 4, Matillano 2, Garcia 2, Alcartado 0, Fongtong 0, Eiman 0, Sailog 0
Quarters: 27-14, 48-38, 63-54, 77-73
Third Game
ATENEO 86 - Eriobu 23, Leal 19, Banal 17, Tamayo 10, Kaw 7, Espinas 5, Kallos 4, Gatmaitan 1, Aquino 0, Madrangca 0
FEU-D 82 - Cabonillas 22, Burgos 18, Rañeses 17, Cagurungan 13, Gaye 4, Hall 2, Sohm 2, Enriquez 2, Alagaban 2, Santos 0, Cariño 0, Dulin 0, Dagcutan 0
Quarters: 18-24, 31-41, 50-55, 77-77, 86-82
Fourth Game
UST 83 - Melano 17, Esteban 10, Bathan 8, Bandigan 7, Pulongbarit 7, Ludovice 6, Vidanes 6, Cruz 4, Canapi, 3, Sta. Maria 3, Lapastora 3, Acido 3, Cañete 2, Candare 2, Bohol 2
UPIS 24 - Tubongbanua 9, Hallare, 8, Poquiz 3, M. Rosete 2, Ryan 2, Hernandez 0, Villanueva 0, M. Rosete 0, Addatu 0, Pascual 0, Cobico 0, Labao 0, Manguerra 0
Quarters: 11-6, 35-9, 60-16, 83-24
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