MANILA – After an absence of 31 years, Adamson University Baby Falcons have reclaimed the UAAP high school boys’ basketball championship.
The Baby Falcons put an end to nearly three decades of waiting for glory with a decisive 90-73 victory over National University Nazareth School Bullpups in the do-or-die Game 3 of the Season 86 finals on Sunday night at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
JC Bonzalida led the way with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Justine “Teboi” Garcia also ended with 15 markers for the Baby Falcons, which clinched the victory despite a paltry 3-of-24 shooting from the three-point area.
Mark Esperanza also made his presence felt with 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Allen Perez and Vince Reyes contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for Adamson.
This was the Baby Falcons’ first championship since the school’s last UAAP high school boys basketball title in 1993 under head coach Charlie Dy.
“Last year, nabigo kami kaya ang pinangako ko kay coach Mike (Fermin) na hindi ko siya iiwan na hindi champion,” Garcia said. “For Game 3, ginawa ko lang ‘yung best ko para maging stable kami inside the court.”
The Baby Falcons were scorching in the opening quarter as they quickly jumped to a 24-15 lead before maintaining their aggression in the second quarter for a 43-32 halftime lead.
Adamson held on to a 62-53 advantage after three quarters before they went on a massive 28-20 scoring run in the final quarter to establish their biggest lead at 29 points late in the game.
“Tinabraho namin ito. Nakinig po kami sa mga coaches at nagtiwala kami sa isa’t isa. Hangga’t hindi pa tumutunog ang final buzzer, hindi kami susuko,” said Esperanza.
Collins Akowe finished with a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Mac-mac Alfanta and Klein Tagontongan had 16 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Bullpups./PN
