UAAP: Adamson boys pull away from UPIS to snap losing skid

MANILA – Adamson University pulled away for a 99-83 win over UP Integrated School on Saturday to snap a three-game skid in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Tournament.

A huge fourth quarter at the Araneta Coliseum sent the Baby Falcons to their third win against nine losses this season. Meanwhile, UP absorbed a sixth consecutive loss to fall to 2-10.

After a tightly contested first three quarters that featured eight lead changes and four deadlocks, the Baby Falcons broke away in the final frame, outscoring UP, 30-21, behind Kobe Endrada’s 20-point performance, which included four assists and six three-pointers.

“The kids really worked hard this whole week just to prepare for this because we know we only have three games to go,” said Adamson head coach Dante Tangco. “If we can, we want to win all three, and it started today.”

The Baby Falcons began creating separation late in the third quarter, putting together a 7-0 run capped by Dwayne Cads’ inside finish to establish a 68-61 advantage.

Adamson carried that momentum into the final period, with Henri Subido and Endrada knocking down back-to-back triples to stretch the lead to 13, 82-69.

Zach Caintic provided additional firepower with 17 points and four assists, while Raphael Gayatin and Mark Delos Santos Jr. chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

For UPIS, Hubert Bautista paced the squad with a season-high 26 points and three steals, while Kean Poquiz added 19 points, three rebounds, and five assists.

ADU 99 – Edrada 20, Caintic 17, Gayatin 11, Delos Santos Jr. 10, Sepnio 9, Subido 8, Cads 8, Bulan 6, Espiritu 4, Timtiman 2, Maycong 2, Chan 2.

UPIS 83 – Bautista 26, Poquiz 19, Lugatiman 17, Labao 8, Santos 5, Floirendo 5, David 3.

Quarterscores: 28-22, 47-45, 68-63, 99-83.