ADAMSON University moved on the cusp of a first-round sweep, while National University Nazareth School solidified its hold of the second spot in the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball tournament yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
The Baby Falcons blasted UP Integrated School 103-72 to raise their record to 6-0, while the Bullpups extended their winning run to four with a 99-53 romp of De La Salle-Zobel.
In other games, defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman hammered out a 66-58 win over University of the East to seize solo third while Ateneo checked a four-game skid, needing a huge fourth quarter to beat University of Santo Tomas 74-59.
Zahir Sajili had 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a reserve role while Justine Garcia chipped in 13 points, seven assists, and three steals for Adamson.
Coach Mike Fermin emphasized the need for his Baby Falcons to be aggressive against the winless Junior Fighting Maroons.
“Players did their job kasi ang usapan hindi mo puwedeng maliitin yung kalaban. The moment na yun ang ginawa mo, doon yung start ng bagsak namin eh,” said Fermin.
“First half medyo kinakapa nila pero sabi ko just stick to the game plan and they did, they responded. We were able to get the win,” he added.
Nigerian big man Collins Akowe imposed his will in the middle with 32 points, 22 rebounds, and three blocks to lead NUNS in raising its record to 5-1.
The 6-foot-10 Akowe, who grabbed a league-high school record of 29 rebounds in last Saturday’s 84-76 victory over UPIS, had 28 points and 13 rebounds in the first half where the Bustillos-based side opened a 54-24 lead.
“Actually ako very happy kasi ito yung hinahanap kong game sa kanila eh. Actually, sila nga gumawa ng game plan eh. Pre-game namin sabi ko sa kanila kayo gumawa ng game plan para sa inyo mismo manggaling, para pag magkamali sila, sila babalikan ko,” Bullpups coach Kevin De Castro said.
