BY Andrei Barrantes
NU-NAZARETH School capped off its first round campain in the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball tournament with a 73-60 beatdown of defending champion Adamson, Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The anticipated finals rematch went south early for the Baby Falcons, who only managed to muster seven points to the Bullpups' 24 in the first quarter alone.
NUNS didn't give its finals tormentor any chance from there and increased its lead to as high as 28 in the third quarter.
Reigning and defending MVP Collins Akowe kept up his double-double streak with 14 points and 16 rebounds to go along with seven assists, a steal, and a block in the Bullpups' seventh win in as many games.
While depth was Adamson’s key to overtaking NUNS in last year’s finals, the script was flipped this time around, with the the blue-and-gold locals rallying around their Nigerian dynamo, much to head coach Kevin De Castro’s elation.
“At least, kahit papano nakakapag-provide na yung bench namin. Kahit papaano ‘yung locals kung tinatawag ay big boost. Sana magtuloy-tuloy sa second round,” he said.
In fact, it was Mac Alfanta who topped the scoring column with 15 points on top of four rebounds and two assists, while Migs Palanca (11 markers, eight boards, three blocks) and Jid Locsin (four markers, nine boards, five assists) also did their part.
For the Baby Falcons, it's back to the drawing board as they saw their two-game win run stopped dead and head into the second round with a 3-4 record.
Pacing them was Sanir Sajili, who managed an efficient 18 points, three assists, and two steals off the bench, while lead guard Mark Esperanza was the only starter in double-digits with 12 points and six dimes.
Despite the uneven first round, Adamson remains tied for fourth alongside De La Salle Zobel and University of the East.
Ateneo climbs out of cellar
In the battle between teams at the bottom of the standings, Ateneo stepped on the gas in the final frame to run away from the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 85-73.
Jay-M Leal spearheaded the Blue Eagles sprint towards win No. 1 under coach Ford Arao with 25 points in efficient 9-of-11 shooting from the field on top of five rebounds, three blocks, and three assists.
The Jr. Maroons were kept locked out of the winners' circle despite Nathan Egea's 17-point, seven-assist, five-rebound performance.
The Scores:
First Game
ATENEO 85 - Leal 25, Urbina 15, Gatmaitan 12, Tan 11, Delos Santos 9, Lagdamen 7, Reyes 5, Lacsamana 1, Aquino 0, Ymasa 0, Asistio 0.
UPIS 73 - Egea 17, Melicor 16, De Liaño 16, Hallare 11, Tubongbanua 11, Uvero 2, Poquiz 0, Coronel 0.
Quarters: 19-18, 41-36, 59-55, 85-73.
Third Game
NUNS 73 - Alfanta 15, Akowe 14, Palanca 11, Cartel 9, Napa 8, Locsin 4, Pillado 4, Figueroa 4, Solomon 4, Matias 0, Usop 0.
ADAMSON 60 - Sajili 18, Esperanza 12, Umali 9, Artango 5, Medina 4, De Jesus 4, Tumaneng 4, Abayon 2, Perez 2, Penafiel 0, Jenodia 0.
Quarters: 24-7, 42-20, 59-38, 73-60.
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