UAAP: UST boys defend home court, clobber Adamson

MANILA — University of Santo Tomas protected its home court in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-Under Basketball Tournament, overpowering Adamson University 112-56 on Saturday at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The Tiger Cubs snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 4-5, bouncing back from their most recent defeat at the hands of National University-Nazareth School on Thursday.

The win also moved UST within a game of University of the East (5-4) in the race for the No. 4 spot.

Meanwhile, Adamson has lost five of its last six games, dropping to 2-7.

“Kailangan mag-umpisa sa defense… Doon talaga ang motivation namin sa players,” said UST assistant coach Andy Mejos, who called the shots after his brother Noli received two technical fouls in their previous outing against NUNS.

The Tiger Cubs dictated the tempo early on their home floor, racing to a 25-7 lead capped by Miguel Austria’s layup.

UST remained in control as Kian Abototo’s triple capped its dominant second-quarter performance, sending the Tiger Cubs into halftime with a commanding 55-27 advantage.

Adamson struggled to find answers as UST outscored the Baby Falcons, 26-17, in the third quarter to stretch its lead to 37 points, 81-44, heading into the final period.

UST continued to dominate in the fourth quarter, reaching the century mark on Nicolai Cabañero’s technical free throw to extend its lead to 50 points, 101-51, and seal the bounce-back victory.

Austria led the Tiger Cubs with 25 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and six steals, while Nathan Bathan added 18 points, including 14 in the second half. Eldon Eusebio chipped in 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Wayne Anggot contributed 14 points.

UST also dominated in fastbreak points, 30-10, while its bench outscored Adamson’s reserves, 43-24.

“Pag may game kami rito, sabi ko, ‘huwag kayong ma-excite.’ Always namin sinasabi, ‘Home-court advantage pero pagdating sa outcome game, kailangan pa rin dumepensa,'” Andy said.

Two Baby Falcons finished in double figures, with Philrine Bulan leading the way with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Kobe Edrada added 10 points.

The Tiger Cubs will have exactly a week to recover before facing Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 8:00 a.m. at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Adamson, meanwhile, will have nearly two weeks to regroup before taking on De La Salle Zobel on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 3:00 p.m. The venue for the matchup has yet to be announced.

UST 112 – Austria 25, Bathan 18, Eusebio 17, Anggot 14, Cabañero 12, Abototo 7, Umbana 6, Cuello 5, Susan 5, Dueñas 3, Regata 0, Collado 0.

ADU 56 – Bulan 11, Edrada 10, Caintic 9, Maycong 6, Chan 5, Timtiman 5, Subido 4, Espiritu 3, Delos Santos Jr. 2, Gayatin 1, Cads 0, Thompson 0, De. Sepnio 0, Dw. Sepnio 0.

Quarterscores: 29-15, 55-27, 81-44, 112-56.