FAR Eastern University-Diliman overcame a strong challenge from Ateneo de Manila University, securing an 82-72 victory to notch its second win in the UAAP Season 87 Boys Basketball Tournament yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Fresh off a dominant 19-point, 10-rebound double-double in a 75-71 victory against reigning champion Adamson University, Marc Burgos sustained his stellar form with 15 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting, along with nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
The Baby Tamaraws now share the top spot in the 19-and-under league with Season 86 runner-up National University Nazareth School, both boasting 2-0 records ahead of their 2 p.m. clash on Sunday at the same venue.
“Medyo yung depensa namin hindi ganoon ka-solid ngayon. Pero kami kahit ganoon, ittake advantage lang namin yung strengths namin which is yung mga big man at sa rebounding,” said FEU-D head coach Denok Miranda.
Ateneo mounted a spirited 13-0 run spanning the latter part of the second quarter to the 6:29 mark of the third, transforming a 33-43 deficit into a slim 46-43 lead.
However, Gilas Youth standout Cabs Cabonilas led FEU-D’s 13-2 counterattack, giving them a comfortable 56-48 edge entering the fourth quarter.
Despite Nathan Asistio’s late layup trimming the Blue Eagles’ deficit to 75-67 with 1:47 left, timely baskets from Mico Pascual and Khean Esperanza ensured FEU-D’s second consecutive win.
Pascual contributed 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Cabonilas impressed with 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and one steal.
Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs unleashed their frustration on the UP Integrated School Fighting Maroons, cruising to a dominant 98-45 victory for their first win of the season.
UST’s 53-point demolition marks the widest winning margin in UAAP boys’ basketball since the pandemic.
After struggling with eight points on 3-of-15 shooting in their 71-60 loss to NU last Sunday, Senegalese forward Racine Kane rebounded with a stellar 19-point, 11-rebound performance, along with three steals, two assists, and a block.
This victory propelled UST to a 1-1 record, sharing third place with Adamson, University of the East, and De La Salle Zobel.
“Yung mindset lang talaga yung nagiba. Nung first game kasi, medyo tight kami sa sarili, pressured kumbaga. I just told them that we have to enjoy the game, we have to enjoy what we’re doing. Nakita naman namin na nageenjoy sila kanina kaya medyo loose na sila naglaro,” said UST head coach Manu Iñigo.
UST dominated from the start, racing to a commanding 55-15 halftime lead and maintaining momentum in the second half with a 25-9 third quarter for an 80-22 cushion entering the final frame.
A key difference was the depth of UST’s roster, with 13 out of their 15 players contributing to the scoreboard, compared to only eight for UPIS.
Co-captain Kirk Canete delivered an efficient 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting, along with five assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Gilas Youth member Wacky Ludovice added 10 points, while Duke Solon, Carl Manding, and Ronjay Catalan each contributed eight points.
Despite gallant efforts in their first two games against UE and FEU-D, Ateneo remains winless at 0-2 under new head coach Ford Arao.
Chris Urbina led Ateneo with 24 points on 7-of-11 shooting, eight assists, three rebounds, and one steal. Ziv Espinas chipped in 18 points, four rebounds, four steals, and three assists.