THE University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs banked on the timely baskets of Cyril Narvasa in the second half to put away the University of the East Junior Warriors, 88-76, last Saturday at the Arena in San Juan.
This kept the Tiger Cubs in contention for a Final Four semifinals seat in the 80th University Athletic Association junior basketball tournament.
Narvasa struck for 17 points behind top scorer CJ Cansino, who drilled 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
He struck in the last 5:45 and after breaking a 51-all deadlock, Narvasa’s basket touched off a decisive blast that saw the Tiger Cubs grabbing a 70-57 cushion.
Narvasa’s efforts in the fourth period, allowed the Tiger Cubs to enjoy a big spread, 80-57, in the last period.
Teammates John Bismarck Lina had 14 points and 16 boards, while Jezreel Villapando shot 11.
The Tiger Cubs share third place with the defending champion Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws. The Adamson Baby Falcons are close with their 5-6 win-loss card.
Earlier, the Ateneo Blue Eaglets shot an amazing 55.74 percent on their field goals to clobber the La Salle Zobel Junior Archers, 93-73.
This got the Blue Eaglets closer to an outright finals slot. Sam Belangel fired a game-high 21 points to carry his team to their 11th straight triumph.
This brought the Blue Eaglets three games nearer an automatic finals berth that goes to the team that completes a 14-game sweep.
Belangel shot 13 points in the first period for the Blue Eaglets, who widened a four-point 42-38 halftime lead to 18, 70-52, at the end of the third.
The Baby Tamaraws stayed in contention for a semifinals berth, relying on Daniel Celzo and the big games of L-Jay Gonzales and RJ Abarrientos to put away the Adamson Baby Falcons, 72-71.
Celzo hit a career-high 17 points. He combined with Xyrus Torres for 10 point in the last period as the Baby Tams held their ground after the Baby Falcons rallied back to within a point in the last 4.9 seconds.
The Baby Tams went on to post their sixth win in 11 games after they kept the Baby Falcons scoreless in the remaining time.
Winderlich Coyoca made 16 points for the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups as they smashed University of the Philippines Integrated School, 91-60, to remain in second at 9-2.
