UAAP men's roundup: Ateneo bounces back, Abadiano steps up, FEU finds rhythm
UAAP Season 86 men's basketball tournament Game Day 6 results
Far Eastern University (FEU) does not want to be left behind. After head coach Denok Miranda picked up his maiden win in the men’s seniors basketball tournament, the Tamaraws scored another victory to put themselves within just a game of Final Four positioning.
Here are the results of Game Day 6 of the tournament:
Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) 97, University of Santo Tomas (UST) 77
Chris Koon was the high-point man as the Ateneo Blue Eagles pulled away in the second half to beat the UST Growling Tigers, 97-77 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Koon dished out an all-around game of 21 points, six rebounds, and five assists, making three triples and shooting 6-of-12 overall as the defending champions leveled their record to 3-3.
Bigs Kai Ballungay and Joe Obasa provided the solid help with the former finishing with 17 points and seven rebounds while the foreign center adding 17 points and eight boards.
Ateneo used a 25-16 fourth quarter for the finishing touches against the winless Tigers in the lopsided ballgame.
The defending champions shot a stellar 52.7 percent from the field, outrebounded UST 42-31, and had a total of 24 assists.
Nic Cabañero once again led the España side with 21 points, seven boards, and four dimes.
National University (NU) 68, University of the East (UE) 49
The NU Bulldogs' unforgiving defense led to a relatively easy 68-49 win over the UE Red Warriors as they tightened their grip on the second spot in the men's basketball tournament.
Omar John and Jake Figueroa had similar double-doubles of 12 points and 10 rebounds each, while PJ Palacielo added 12 markers.
Kean Baclaan provided six points, five rebounds, and six assists.
The Red Warriors took the lead in the opening quarter but when the Bulldogs switched it up defensively, they limited the Recto side to just four second quarter points.
The Bulldogs then went on a 22-11 third frame to establish control.
No UE player scored in double-digits, with Precious Momowei’s eight points and 12 boards leading the charge.
Rey Remogat and Abdul Sawat both had seven apiece as UE dropped to 2-4.
Far Eastern University (FEU) 49, Adamson University (AdU) 46
The FEU Tamaraws leaned on LJay Gonzales’ exploits to stun the Adamson Soaring Falcons in a low-scoring affair, 49-46.
Gonzales scored 13 points and nine rebounds for the Tamaraws, including back-to-back baskets that pushed the FEU lead up to 47-43.
Joem Sabandal answered for Adamson but Royce Alforque calmly sank two free throws late.
Patrick Sleat added 10 points including 4-of-6 shooting from the field.
The game saw FEU shooting just 30 percent, just slightly better than Adamson’s 24.6 percent clip.
Joshua Yerro led the Falcons with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals while Cedrick Manzano had a near double-double of nine points and 10 boards.
The win enabled FEU to pull within just a game behind the third seed in the team standings.
University of the Philippines (UP) 67, De La Salle University (DLSU) 64
The UP Fighting Maroons completed a stunning comeback over the De La Salle Green Archers, 67-64 to cap the Wednesday slate flawless.
UP almost blew a 63-52 lead as La Salle pulled within 65-64 with 15.5 seconds left before Reyland Torres sank two freebies.
Malick Diouf had 10 points, 18 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, while Gerry Abadiano topscored with 13 points while Harold Alarcon added 10 points and eight boards.
Four others, including CJ Cansino and Francis Lopez, scored seven points for the 6-0 Diliman side.
UP erased a double-digit halftime deficit after totally shutting down La Salle in the 3rd quarter, 21-3.
The Green Archers fought back in the payoff period, and still had a chance to tie the game with 2.9 ticks left but Cansino intercepted the crosscourt inbounds pass to seal the victory.
Mike Phillips had 15 points, 14 boards, and three blocks while Kevin Quiambao chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Evan Nelle did not play for La Salle, which dropped to 3-3 in a three-way tie with Ateneo and Adamson from third to fifth in what is becoming an interesting race to the playoffs.
Photos from the UAAP Media Bureau
