INQUIRER Sports

GAMES TODAY (PhilSports Arena)
2 p.m. -- UP vs La Salle
4 p.m. -- UE vs NU

FOR A MOMENT, ATENEO seemed headed for a repeat of its lone loss this season.

But this time, the Blue Eagles mustered enough energy in the closing minutes to hang on to a 78-74 decision over the Far Eastern Tamaraws and keep the solo lead in the 71st UAAP men’s basketball competition yesterday at the PhilSports Arena.

Rabeh Al-Hussaini buried the marginal basket with 51.9 seconds remaining after the Tamaraws rose from 15 points down, 67-52, in the last eight minutes and came within a bucket at 76-74.

“Luckily, we had enough to hang on there in the end. We had a pretty good lead and they made a run at us,” said coach Norman Black, nine days after the Eagles recovered from their first setback, 72-66, where the Tamaraws also overhauled an early lead.

Earlier, Jervy Cruz took charge in pivotal runs as University of Santo Tomas blasted Adamson, 97-83.

Rebounding from a season-low production, reigning MVP Cruz unloaded a career-high 29 points on top of 15 boards and a pair of blocks to lead the Tigers to their fourth win in eight games.

Eric Salamat sparked the Eagles’ fourth-quarter run to finish with a career-high 18 points for the Eagles, who posted their seventh triumph in eight matches.

Al-Hussaini added 16 points and nine rebounds, while skipper Chris Tiu also contributed 16.

“The strategy for the night was to hammer them inside because we know they’re lacking in big men and we had a lot,” said Black of the Tamaraws, who fell to third place at 5-3.

The Eagles opened up a 67-52 lead in the fourth quarter but the Tamaraws mounted a rally behind Mark Barroca to trim the gap to six, 78-72, with 1:26 minutes remaining.

The Tamaraws moved within 76-74 with only a minute left after a JR Cawaling fastbreak off a steal from Ryan Buenafe.

The Tamaraws skidded to their second straight loss since the departure of big man Robert Kave, who returned to Papua New Guinea due to trauma after witnessing the brazen shooting of teammate Mac Baracael just near the FEU gym.

Cruz and rookie guard Clark Bautista combined for 10 points late in the third quarter as the Tigers regained control after the Falcons nearly wiped out their 44-29 halftime lead.

Despite the brief scare, coach Pido Jarencio commended his wards for responding to his pre-game pep talk. The Tigers led by as many as 20 points, 32-12, in the first half.

The scores:

First Game
UST 97—Cruz 29, Canlas 13, Bautista 12, Ababou 11, Mirza 8, Allera 8, Fortuna 6, Gile 5, Fenequito 2, Cuan 2, Wong 1, Vargas 0, Camus 0, Afuang 0, Taylor 0.
ADAMSON 83—Colina 20, Gonzalgo 20, Cañada 15, Agustin 6, Lozada 6, Nuyles 5, Galinato 5, Olalia 3, Yambot 3, Ruiz 0, Santos 0, Gorospe 0.
Quarters: 21-10, 44-29, 70-61, 97-83

Second Game
ATENEO 78—Salamat 18, Tiu 16, Al-Hussaini 16, Buenafe 10, Long 5, Reyes 5, Baldos 3, Baclao 3, Salva 2, Austria 0, Nkemakolam 0, Escueta 0.
FEU 74—Cervantes 14, Sanga 13, Fernandez 11, Barroca 9, Cawaling 7, Knuttel 6, Alisbo 5, Adolfo 4, Ramos 3, Tanuan 2, Macazo 0, Cabagnot 0.
Quarters: 13-15, 36-33, 57-51, 78-74