WITH all of the UAAP Season 88 boys basketball Final Four slots already claimed, Ateneo and FEU-Diliman maximized the first of their two remaining games by staying in condition - and in contention for a twice-to-beat advantage.
The Blue Eagles got their confidence boost by handing a 46-point beatdown on the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 103-57.
Best Foreign Student-Athlete frontrunner Jude Eriobu pounded in 20 points and 19 rebounds to go along with two blocks, but the Nigerian big got plenty of help, as well.
Jay-M Leal and Noah Banal each chipped in 11 points and five rebounds, while Katipunan’s reserves were also firing from all cylinders with Quintino Molina, Sky Jazul, and Aiori Aquino all contributing nine points.
Even with a combined 34 points from Bruce Tubongbanua and Zandro Lugatiman, the Jr. Maroons still found themselves outmatched to drop to 0-13.
The Baby Tamaraws, for their part, outlasted University of the East, 71-62, in the second round rematch of the ‘Eastern Conference.’
In signature FEU-D fashion, the opponent once again endured a suffocating third-quarter defensive masterclass, as the Jr. Warriors were held to just three points.
Khean Esperanza made all but one shot in his 22-point performance for the Baby Tams, while Yosef Rañeses and Marc Burgos logged 11 points apiece.
Sizco Roquid and JM Edoukou both scored 14 points to pace 4-9 UE.
With FEU-D rising to 11-2, it stands tied for first in the standings before ending the elims against 10-3 Ateneo, with the winner earning a playoff bonus.
Bullpups stretch streak
NU-Nazareth School then showed little to no struggle against Adamson, as the Bullpups extended their win run to nine and improved to 11-2 as well.
In their 86-68 victory, the Bullpups’ scoring trio of Corian Cabantog, Shaun Lucido, and Mot Matias delivered 14, 13, and 12 points, respectively. Sparkplug Kurl Figueroa came to play himself, flirting with a double-double of 11 points and nine rebounds.
One more win and NUNS secures a twice-to-beat advantage, while also getting one foot in the door for the overall top seed.
Interestingly, that win will have to come against De La Salle Zobel, the Bullpups' last assignment in the elims as well as the locked-in fourth-seed.
The Jr. Archers themselves are coming off a big win, adding to the misery of now-dethroned champion University of Santo Tomas, 84-80.
After trailing by as many as 11 in the fourth quarter, DLSZ lead guard Maco Dabao went hero-mode, scoring 11 points in the last quarter alone to finish with 27 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
Yusuf Mikailu backstopped Dabao with a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double, while Niño Ferrer led the bench mob with 16 markers, as they now turn their attention to red-hot NUNS.
For the Tiger Cubs, Jhon Lee Melano’s 27 points and seven rebounds went to waste, while for the Baby Falcons, Mac Jenodia fronted the effort with 16 points.
Both UST and Adamson stand at 4-9 ahead of their season-enders against UPIS and UE, respectively.
The Scores:
First Game
FEU-D 71 - Esperanza 22, Raneses 11, Burgos 11, Cabonilas 10, Gaye 4, Cagurungan 3, Alagaban 3, Sohm 2, Carino 2, Santos 2, Dargcutan 1, Hall 0, Enriquez 0, Santos 0, Dulin 0.
UE 62 - Roquid 14, Edoukou 14, Aguas 10, Diaz 6, Lorenzo 6, Bual 5, Pascual 3, Braga 2, Delos Reyes 2, Abellar 0, Oraa 0, Copada 0, Panganiban 0, Orca 0.
Quarters: 28-15, 43-35, 61-38, 71-62.
Second Game
ATENEO 103 - Eriobu 20, Leal 11, Banal 11, Molina 9, Jazul 9, Aquino 9, Reyes 8, Madrangca 6, Kaw 6, Tamayo 5, Gatmaitan 3, Espinas 3, Magpoc 2, Kallos 1.
UPIS 57 - Tubongbanua 18, Lugatiman 16, Hallare 12, Poquiz 6, Addatu 3, Rosete Ma. 2, Labao 0, Rosete MJ 0, Hernandez 0, Ryan 0, Manguerra 0.
Quarters: 22-18, 55-31, 78-45, 103-57.
Third Game
DLSZ 84 - Dabao 27, Mikailu 21, Ferrer 16, Favis 10, Borrero 3, Alpapara Jo. 3, Alpapara Ja. 2, Arejola 2, Tan 0, Llamas 0, Reyes 0, Luna 0, Trillo 0.
UST 80 - Melano 27, Canapi 12, Esteban 11, Pulongbarit 9, Bandigan 8, Canete 7, Bohol 6, Bathan 0, Cruz 0, Vidanes 0, Ludovice 0, Sta. Maria 0, Candare 0, Lapastora 0.
Quarters: 24-16, 39-37, 52-60, 84-80.
Fourth Game
NUNS 86 - Cabantog 14, Lucido 13, Matias 12, Figueroa 11, Cartel 9, Bouzina 6, Celiz 5, Diakite 4, Manding 4, Juan 3, Natinga 3, Mann 2, Sison 0, Tulabut 0, Timbang 0.
ADAMSON 68 - Jenodia 16, Artango 13, Flores 11, Bautista 6, Matillano 5, Gomez 5, Alcartado 4, Garcia 4, Frogoso 2, Fongtong 2, Gonzales 0, Eiman 0, Babad 0.
Quarters: 17-11, 42-27, 68-46, 86-68.
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.
