Adamson bounces back; UST, Ateneo prevail

Adamson University rebounded from its first loss with a 78-54 dismantling of University of the East in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 high school boys basketball tournament Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Vince Reyes had 18 points, seven rebounds, and five assists while Mark Esperanza contributed 17 points as the Baby Falcons unloaded a 30-point third quarter, while holding down the Junior Warriors to nine points in that period.

Bouncing back from last Sunday's 64-67 defeat to University of Santo Tomas, Adamson improved to a league-best 8-1 record.

Adamson coach Mike Fermin knows that the Falcons got their reality check with the setback they suffered to the Tiger Cubs to open the second round.

"It was a wake-up call. For us, there's always a price for being on top as you will be the target of other teams. We have to be consistent. There should be a sense of urgency every time we play," Fermin said, adding that their ultimate goal is to make it to win the title.

"We need to identify our goal. Of course, our ultimate goal is to win the championship while our immediate goal is to enter the Final Four. The task at hand is winning every game."

Earlier, University of Santo Tomas followed up its stunning win over Adamson and overcame a Kieffer Alas triple-double with a 78-66 victory over De La Salle-Zobel while National University Nazareth School edged out Ateneo de Manila University, 62-61.

With a 7-2 record, the second-running Bullpups remained a game ahead of the Tiger Cubs, who rose to 6-3 in solo third.

Later, Far Eastern University-Diliman seized the fourth spot with a 5-4 card following an 87-61 rout of UP Integrated School.

Andrei Dungo scored 16 of his 26 points in the second half and logged 13 rebounds, six assists, and six steals to lead UST in extending its winning streak to three games.

"Coach told us to just execute our defensive game plan so that our offense will follow," Dungo said.

The Junior Archers were very much in the game in the first half, leading by as much as six points, before the Tiger Cubs flipped the switch in the second half.

Wacky Ludovice scored 14 points while JB Lim also had 14 points to go along with six boards, five steals, and four assists for the Tiger Cubs.

Nigerian big man Collins Akowe was at his usual best with 19 points and 22 rebounds, while Mac Alfanta also had a double-double with 16 points and 11 boards and dished out six assists for NUNS.

The Bullpups were able to escape with the win after the Blue Eagles failed to convert on their last play.

Stephen Cabigting led the Baby Tamaraws with 12 points, Veejay Pre and Omar Gordon each scored 11 points while Jedric Daa added 10 points, six assists, and five boards.

FEU-D rebounded from last Sunday's 70-82 loss to NUNS.