TWO veterans, LJ Gonzales and Daniel Celzo, stepped it up in the last three minutes, and helped lift the defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws to a 65-56 stopping of the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons.
Their big plays down the stretch allowed the Baby Tams to secure the third semifinal slot yesterday in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines junior basketball tournament.
Gonzales went on to finish with 21 points, while Celzo made only 10 points but hauled 11 rebounds when action ended at the Blue Eagle gym in Quezon City.
Already out contention, the Junior Maroons gave the Baby Tams quite a scare when they rallied from 8 points down at the end of the third and into a 51-all deadlock off John Allan Gregorio’s drive.
A split charity and a driving shot from Gonzales in the last 3:46 put the Baby Tams in front, 54-51.
After the Baby Tams stayed within range off Ralph Labao’s penetration shot, Celzo struck anew with a putback off Labao and Gonzales knocked in a basket in the last 2:25, giving FEU a 58-53 spread.
A trey from Xyrus Torres in the final 2:01 allowed FEU to nurse a 61-53 edge in the ensuing play.
“We just had to be consistent. As for LJ, he had less turnovers today. With Celzo, he worked on his rebounds,” said FEU coach Allan Albano.
The Baby Tams have improved record to 7-5, leaving the Adamson Baby Falcons and the University of Santo Tomas to fight it out for a semifinal berth.
Winderlich Coyoca banged in14 points, while Michael Malonzo added 13 for the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups, who waylaid the Baby Falcons, 73-62.
The Bullpups are now sure of the no. 2 seat with their 10-2 slate.
The Baby Falcons, with Jose Sabandal firing 22 points, are to fight for the last semis berth with the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, who share the same slate with the Adamson Juniors.
The Scores:
FIRST GAME
NU 73—Coyoca 14, Malonzo 13, Amsali 11, Minerva 11, Oczon 8, Gonzales 6, Fortea 4, Javillonar 4, Manalang 2, Pangilinan 0, Pradella 0
ADAMSON 62—Sabandal 22, Doria Ad 14, Doria An 10, Canoy 6, Manlapaz 4, Hanapi 2, Santos 2, Prodigo 2, Engbino 0, Padilla 0
QUARTER SCORES: 14-13, 35-24, 53-45, 73-62
SECOND GAME
FEU-DILIMAN 65—Gonzales 21, Celzo 10, Torres 9, Tolentino 8, Bautista 5, Alforque 4, Abarrientos 2, Ona 2, Boc 2, Armendez 2, Sajonia 0, Mariano 0
UPIS 56—Santiago 17, Labao Ral 14, Gregorio 12, Tupaz 8, Vergeire 3, Labao Raf 2, Estrera 0, Gomez de Liano 0, Villa-real 0
QUARTER SCORES: 16-14, 31-24, 49-41, 65-56
Games Sunday
(at the Blue Eagle gym)
9 a.m. UPIS vs UE
11 a.m. Adamson vs La Salle Zobel
1 p.m. FEU vs UST
3 p.m. Ateneo vs NU