Far Eastern University (FEU)-Diliman turned back defending champion Adamson University, 75-71, to begin its campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 boys basketball on a winning note Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Gilas youth member Cabs Cabonilas showed the way with a double-double performance as the Baby Tamaraws welcomed new coach Denok Miranda with an opening-day victory.

Cabonilas dropped 25 points including five of FEU-Diliman’s last five points to stave off Adamson’s late rally and pulled down 17 rebounds on top of four assists and four steals.

“We just stuck to our game plan. We made some adjustments and I’m confident about my players’ ability to overcome challenges,” Miranda said.

The match was played in a battle of runs with the Baby Falcons igniting a 16-5 spurt in the third quarter for a 46-43 lead. The Baby Tamaraws countered with a 19-4 surge in the final period for a 62-50 cushion with 5:52 left.

Mark Esperanza, Henry Penafiel, Earl Medina, and CJ Umali rallied Adamson back to cut their deficit to 70-69, with 1:37 remaining.

But Cabonilas swished in a crucial three-pointer before hitting a free throw to rescue FEU-Diliman from collapse.

Marc Burgos backed Cabonilas up with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Liam Salangsang added an all-around effort of 17 points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist.

Esperanza got 19 points, six assists, five rebounds, and three steals, while Medina added 14 points, seven rebounds, three steals, one block, and one assist for the Baby Falcons.

Penafiel debuted with 12 points off 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc, with two rebounds and one assist.

Meanwhile, reigning Most Valuable Player Colins Akowe displayed his dominance in lifting National University-Nazareth School to 71-60 rout of University of Santo Tomas.

Akowe registered 21 points, 26 rebounds, and four blocks to power the Bullpups, who built a 21-point at halftime.

Carl Alfanta contributed 15 points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Jid Locsin tallied six points, eight assists, and eight rebounds for NUNS.

Charles Bucsit finished with 15 points while Charles Esteban contributed 13 points and nine rebounds for the Tiger Cubs.

The scores:

First game

FEU-Diliman (75) — Cabonilas 25, Burgos 19, Salangsang 17, Pascual 8, Raneses 2, Castillejos 2, De Guzman 2, Godoy 0, Hall 0, Gemao 0, Maierhofer 0, Esperanza 0.

Adamson (71) — Esperanza 19, Medina 14, Peñafiel 12, Perez 7, Umali 7, Matillano 4, De Jesus 4, Sajili 2, Abayon 2, Tumaneng 0, Artango 0.

Quarters: 17-10, 31-26, 43-46, 75-71.

Second Game

NUNS (71) — Akowe 21, Alfanta 15, Napa 8, Locsin 6, Natinga 5, Figueroa 4, Cartel 3, Palanca 3, Nepacena 2, Solomon 2, Matias 1, Usop 1.

UST (60) — Bucsit 15, Esteban 13, Ludovice 9, Kane 8, Catalan 8, Buenaflor 3, Cañete 2, Manding 2, Cinco 0, Vidanes 0, Acido 0, Solon 0.

Quarters: 23-8, 48-27, 60-48, 71-60.