MANILA — Adrian Alagaban rose to the occasion when Far Eastern University–Diliman needed a spark as the Baby Tamaraws surged past Adamson, 83-76, in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Adamson Gym.
Alagaban’s shooting keyed a game-turning surge in the third quarter after Adamson pulled within one, 48-47. He hit a triple to stop the run, then watched Marc Burgos bury two more from deep as the Baby Tamaraws stormed ahead on a 13-1 blast for a 61-48 lead.
FEU-D maintained control the rest of the way, even as the Baby Falcons made one last rally in the final minutes. After Khean Esperanza’s layup made it 78-64, Adamson answered with baskets from Kieff Iledan and Bill Garcia to cut the deficit to eight.
The Baby Tamaraws responded calmly. Burgos split a pair of free throws, Cabs Cabonilas finished inside, and Alagaban connected on another triple to restore a 12-point cushion with under two minutes remaining.
Esperanza and Burgos led FEU-D with 19 points each, while Cabonilas recorded 13 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists as they tied the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets on top with a 6-1 mark.
Alagaban, a former standout of Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, finished with 15 points, two rebounds, and one steal in one of his best performances of the season.
Baby Tamaraws head coach Mike Reyes said his team’s energy changed after halftime following a tongue lashing.
“We lacked aggressiveness early, but in the third quarter we defended harder. That’s what we talked about in the dugout — you can’t play like this in the UAAP because every team can beat you,” Reyes said.
Earlier, Ateneo de Manila University stayed level with FEU-D at the top of the standings after a convincing 96-70 victory over University of the Philippines Integrated School.
Nigerian big man Jude Eriobu dominated inside with 31 points and 13 rebounds, Ethan Kaw added 13 points, Jay-M Leal added 11, and Noah Banal chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists./PN
