UAAP: FEU-Diliman boys repeat over La Salle-Zobel for third straight win

MANILA — Far Eastern University-Diliman made it three wins in a row on Saturday, taking down De La Salle Zobel 82-76 in the UAAP Season 89 16-and-under boys’ basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The victory put the Baby Tamaraws at solo second in the league standings, with their 6-2 record just behind National University-Nazareth School’s pristine 7-0 slate.

It also underscored their dominance of La Salle-Zobel this season, after taking their first round encounter 86-76.

“We’re very happy we’re in the number two spot right now. But we need to be better, and we need to increase our defensive stamina kasi mediyo nagco-collapse kami kapag nalalamangan kami,” said FEU-D head coach Muriel Garcia.

Nicus Calma spearheaded the Baby Tamaraws’ early surge, putting the Junior Archers in a 20-15 hole before DLSZ mounted a late second-quarter comeback.

With two minutes left in the first half, Enzo Purugganan took charge of a 12-2 run that erased a 10-point deficit and sent the Junior Archers into the break tied with the Baby Tamaraws.

Both teams continued to trade baskets in a tightly contested third quarter, with FEU-D holding a two-point lead in the closing seconds. Purugganan then drained a triple to swing the lead in La Salle’s favor, 61-60, heading into the final frame.

FEU-D refused to back down, however, as Andres Cruz’s layup with 1:46 remaining put the Baby Tamaraws back on top, 74-73.

The Baby Tams then closed the game with a decisive 10-0 run, holding the Junior Archers scoreless until Fonzie Mercado knocked down a triple with one second left as FEU-D sealed the 82-76 victory.

Calma led the Baby Tamaraws with 16 points, while Griffin Barlan posted a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Bernard Alsola added 11 points, including the dagger three-pointer that put the game away with 42 seconds remaining.

Cruz chipped in 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

FEU-Diliman will look to extend its winning streak when it faces Ateneo de Manila University next Thursday, October 15, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Junior Archers, who had previously won three straight games, dropped to fourth place with a 5-3 record.

Villaruz paced La Salle Zobel with a game-high 22 points and six rebounds, while Purugganan contributed 13 points and Mercado added 11.

The Junior Archers will seek their first win of the second round when they face the University of the Philippines Integrated School, also next Thursday.

The Scores:

FEU–D 82 – Calma 16, Barlan 13, Alsola 11, Cruz 10, Ira 8, Mampao 7, Samonte 6, Maghinay 5, Isip 3, Garcia 2, Madrigal 1.

DLSZ 76 – Villaruz 22, E. Purugganan 13, Mercado 11, Dizon 6, Quillo 6, Santiago 6, I. Purugganan 4, Enriquez 4, Paceno 2, Noel 2, Francisco 0.

Quarterscores: 20-15, 41-41, 60-61, 82-76.