Marc Burgos and Cabs Cabonilas joined forces in the clutch, willing Far Eastern University (FEU) past defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) in thrilling fashion, 82-78, to open its title bid in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 boys’ basketball tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

Burgos drained the go-ahead layup with 35.2 seconds remaining before Cabonilas showed nerves of steel at the charity stripe, drilling three of his four free throw attempts to seal the hard-fought triumph and hand new head coach Mike Reyes — a two-time UAAP juniors champion with Ateneo de Manila University — a winning return.

In the other game, another new coach in Bacon Austria made a triumphant debut after Nigerian center Jude Eriobu dropped 28 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, and one steal to lead Ateneo past University of the East (UE), 91-84.

“I am satisfied because we pulled it through even if UST was leading until the final stretch. I am happy because the players were able to regain the lead. Those baskets we got were their decisions within the offense. They made those decisions. I’m very satisfied with how we performed today,” said Reyes, the brother of TNT Tropang 5G mentor Chot Reyes who is making a return after steering the Blue Eagles to juniors titles in 1994 and 1996.

Trailing 57-62 after three quarters, the Tiger Cubs opened the payoff period with a 13-4 run — highlighted by three consecutive triples from Dustin Bathan, skipper Kirk Canete, and Jetlee Melano — to grab a slim 70-66 lead with 4:47 remaining.

FEU slowly clawed its way back as Cabonilas delivered key inside baskets, while JB Cagurungan knocked down two crucial triples to take a 77-76 advantage with 1:06 left on the clock.

Melano responded with a contested layup to reclaim a 78-77 lead with 54.9 seconds remaining, but Burgos and Cabonilas — key holdovers from the Baby Tamaraws’ Season 87 squad — delivered down the stretch to spoil the Tiger Cubs’ title defense opener.

Cabonilas finished with a dominant all-around performance, posting 19 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and one steal, while Khean Esperanza added 13 points, three assists, two steals and one rebound.

Jheremy Godoy chipped in 10 points, three rebounds, and one block, while Burgos contributed seven points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Meanwhile, the Junior Warriors seized a 54-50 lead early in the third quarter, but the Blue Eagles responded behind timely baskets from Eriobu, Jay-m Leal, Noah Banal and Ziv Espinas, erupting for an 18-5 run to build a 68-59 advantage heading into the fourth period.

Consecutive triples from Renzo Gatmaitan and Espinas, coupled with a putback by Eriobu, stretched Ateneo’s lead to 78-61 with 6:09 remaining. However, a layup by Drei Lorenzo and back-to-back three-pointers from Jolo Pascual and Jamal Diaz trimmed the deficit to 78-72 with 3:45 left.

UE stayed within striking distance after a layup by Ethan Aguas, but costly turnovers by Pascual and Sizco Roquid proved decisive, allowing Ateneo to capitalize with consecutive layups by Banal and Leal to restore an 89-78 lead with 39.1 seconds remaining.

Pascual attempted to make amends by drilling back-to-back triples to cut the lead to five, but Leal calmly sank the dagger free throws to secure the hard-fought victory.

Noah, grandson of former UAAP champion coach Joel Banal, also impressed in his debut with 14 points, three steals, three rebounds, and one block, finishing with a game-high plus-20 rating. Unri Madrangca likewise delivered 14 points, three rebounds and one steal.

Leal ended the day with 10 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal, while Zane Kallos and Gatmaitan chipped in eight points apiece.

Despite the loss, Nigerian center Ola Ajani shined in his UAAP debut with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and one steal, while Canete tallied 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds.