RJ Abarrientos fired 23 points for the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws as they upended the La Salle Zobel Junior Archers, 95-68, yesterday at the Arena at the FilOil Flying Sports Center in San Juan.
Renz Alforque added 17 points for the Baby Tams, who climbed to second place in the teams standings of the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines junior basketball tournament.
This moved the Baby Tamaraws within coach Allan Albano’s expectations, which was to move up in the rankings. Now, they are no. 2 in the leaderboard.
“In-expect ko kaming mag-1 o 2, and the way na magtrabaho sila sa practice, I think hindi imposible ‘yun,” said Albano.
The Baby Tams, who are now behind the solo-leading Nazareth School-National University Bullpups, took command in the third period.
After taking a 20-17 lead at the end of the first period, the Tams leaned on the leadership of Alforque, assisted Miguel Ona for a basket following a steal, touching off a 10-2 blast.
When it was over, the Baby Tams were in front by 15, 38-23, as Abarrientos and Alforque took turns in providing key baskets for FEU.
The Bullpups, led by Cyril Gonzales and Terrence Fortea with 15 and 14 points, respectively, turned back the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 94-66, to hike their record in the lead at 8-1.
The Adamson Baby Falcons, behind Adam Doria with 30 points and Joem Sabandal with 11, held University of the Philippines Integrated School to 10 points in the third for a 94-66 triumph.
The Baby Falcons improved in third spot at 6-3, while UST, which got 26 points from Mark Nonoy, are behind at 4-5.
The Junior Archers, which got 14 points from Henri Subido, now have a 3-6 slate.
Games Sunday (Arena in San Juan)
9 a.m. UE vs La Salle Zobel
11 a.m. UPIS vs UST
1 p.m. NU vs Adamson
3 p.m. FEU vs Ateneo