Playing their worst game this season, the Ateneo Blue Eaglets fought off the defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, 68-65, and still earned one of two Final Four semifinal seats last Saturday at the Arena in San Juan.
Making around 38.7 percent from their field goals, the Blue Eaglets got winning charities from Enrico Manuel, allowing them to escape with their 10th straight victory in the 80thUniversity Athletic Association of the Philippines Junior Basketball tournament.
Manuel, the younger brother of former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons cager Jet Manuel, went on to finish with 12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal.
The Blue Eaglets, led by SJ Belangel with 20 points and Kai Sotto with 16 points and 10 boards, joined the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups in the semis.
“Panalo kami, pero maganda ang nilaro nila,” said Blue Eaglets coach Joe Silva.
The Bullpups banked on the second quarter explosion of Paul Matthew Manalang and Paolo Javillonar’s inside game to turn back the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, 109-75.
Manalang led a 19-5 blast in the start of the second period with his back-to-baskets, allowing NU to overtake a 25-26 first quarter deficit.
Miguel Oczon capped the run with a layup, and handed the Bullpups a comfortable 44-31 spread.
Later, the Adamson University Baby Falcons got 20 points from Jose Sabandal as they turned back the University of the East Junior Warriors, 72-66, to force a three-way tie in third place.
Along with UST and FEU-Diliman, the Baby Falcons share at 5-5.
UP Integrated School, with John Allan Gregorio firing 17 points, stayed in contention for the semifinals, claiming its first back-to-back wins of the season with a 71-69 squeaker over De La Salle-Zobel.
This gave UPIS its their third victory overall in 10 contests.
The scores:
First game
ATENEO 68 – Belangel 20, Sotto 16, Manuel 12, Ildefonso 11, Credo 9, Escalona 0, Chiu 0, Angeles 0, David 0, Jaymalin 0, Lopa 0
FEU-DILIMAN 65 – Abarrientos 16, Alforque 12, Gonzales 12, Torres 12, Sajonia 10, Celzo 0, Ona 1, Boc 0, Tolentino 0, Mariano 0
QUARTER SCORES: 10-20, 25-33, 46-43, 68-65
SECOND GAME
NU 109 – Manalang 25, Amsali 13, Fortea 12, Coyoca 12, Oczon 10, Malonzo 10, Javillonar 9, Gonzales 6, Minerva 6, Pradella 4, Pangilinan 2, Felicida 0, Dayrit 0, Vinoya 0
UST 75 – Cansino 13, Palencia 13, Dolendo 10, Lina 7, Baquial 6, Narvasa 6, Manabat 6, Benzonan 5, Anunciacion 5, Esplana 2, Estrella 2, Dela Cruz 0, Villapando 0, Biag 0, Co 0
QUARTER SCORES: 25-26, 50-41, 80-61, 109-75
THIRD GAME
ADAMSON 72 – Sabandal 20, Manlapaz 16, Doria Ad 7, Doria An 4, Engbino 4, Baculio 4, Perez 4, Canoy 3, Santos P 2, Padilla O 2, Hanapi 2, Santos R 2, Sevilla 2, Prodigo 0, Padilla A 0
UE 66 – Dulalia 23, Miranda 10, Dichoso 9, Angeles 7, Vinte 6, Policarpio 6, Tajonera 3, Almacen 2, Villarta 0
QUARTER SCORES: 12-12, 22-31, 45-57, 72-66
FOURTH GAME
UPIS 71 – Gregorio 17, Labao Ral 15, Labao Raf 15, Santiago 7, Estrera 7, Tupaz 6, Villareal 4, Vergeire 0, Lopez 0
DLSZ 69 – Carlos 18, Calimag 17, Cosejo 16, Cortez 9, Vesagas 4, Pascual 3, Santos 2, Buncayo 0, Escandor 0, Barcuma 0, Terrado 0, Bonalos 0, Chavez 0, Udal 0, Favis 0
QUARTER SCORES: 23-12, 36-26, 47-50, 71-69