Adamson gained a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four while National University Nazareth School advanced for the 12th straight time in the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball tournament Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Baby Falcons repulsed Ateneo’s repeated uprisings in the second half to complete a wire-to-wire 87-74 victory while the Bullpups leaned on Nigerian big man Collins Akowe’s double-double for a 70-61 win over De La Salle-Zobel.
The win improved Adamson’s record to 10-1 – thanks largely to JR Abayon who scattered 17 points.
Mark Esperanza and Vince Reyes chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Mike Fermin-mentored Adamson.
“Proud naman kami sa na-achieve namin. Yung task at hand, iyon ang pine-prepare namin,” said Fermin.
Akowe produced a 20-point, 20-rebound for the Bullpups’ 9th win in 11 games.
Macmac Alfanta chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists for NUNS, which improved to 9-2.
“I’m proud of my boys. Sabi ko nga, Ateneo will not give up easily, kita mo dumidikit di ba. Yung maturity nila nandoon na, pero konti pa,” he added.
Defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman went through the wringer before beating University of the East, 66-62.
The Baby Tamaraws moved up to 6-5, two games ahead of the Junior Warriors and the Blue Eagles, who remained tied for fifth place at 4-7.
