MANILA, Philippines -- Far Eastern University (FEU)-FERN rediscovered its winning form on Saturday by downing National University (NU), 60-51, to take a share of 3rd place in the 73rd UAAP juniors basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena.

Employing a menacing 3-2 halfcourt trapping defense throughout the contest, the Baby Tamaraws stymied the Bullpups’ vaunted running game to offset a woeful 1-of-21 shooting from three-point land and move up at 3-3 in a three-way logjam with Adamson University and De La Salle Zobel.

NU dropped to 4-2, the same win-loss mark carried by the University of Santo Tomas (UST), which trounced Adamson, 83-71, in the second game.

The Baby Tamaraws also capitalized on the Bullpups’ defensive miscues as Austin Fabian, Adiel Dimdam and Mark Tanoy repeatedly slashed the middle, padding a 27-26 halftime lead to 43-35 going into the final quarter.

In that pivotal stretch, NU limited its offense on Roque Estoce, who could only buy a solitary field goal despite a 4-of-6 clip from the stripe. A Ralph Tansingco trey after an Estoce split put the Bullpups within 32-34 before the Baby Tamaraws knocked in 4 consecutive free throws plus a Tanoy jumper to erect a 40-34 buffer.

NU slowly regained its bearing midway in the final period as Estoce’s three-point play and lay-up sandwiched a pair of Raphael Atangan freebies to cut the deficit, 45-49, with 4:50 left in the clock.    

Two Estoce gift shots capped a 6-0 blitz with 1:40 remaining pushed NU closer at 51-53. But a pair of free throws and a lay-up by Lou Pearson with 27.2 seconds left virtually sealed the deal for the Baby Tamaraws as the Bullpups resorted to shooting blanks from afar.

Fabian and Immanuel Custodio each tallied 12 markers to lead the Baby Tamaraws, who collected 19 turnover points despite a 35-43 rebounding shortfall.

Kevin Lara paced NU with 19 points while Estoce added 12.

In the main game, defending champion Ateneo de Manila University made mincemeat of the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS), 101-45, to solidify the Eaglets’ hold of the top spot with a flawless 6-0 card.

Kiefer Ravena fueled Ateneo’s offensive juggernaut anew, registering 21 points on 6-of-8 sniping from the perimeter. He got able support from Josh Gadia, Von Pessumal and Paolo Romero who chipped in 12, 11, and 10 points, respectively.

Earlier in the day, La Salle clobbered the University of the East, 110-80, with five Junior Archers finishing in double figures led by Jonathan Calugcug, who scored a career-high 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the perimeter.

The Scores:

1st game

DLSZ 110 – Calugcug 25, Capacio 16, Torres a 13, Tempongko 13, Torres J 13, Subido 8 Valhagen 6, Reyes 5, Concepcion 3, Samonte 2, Salvador 2, Roxas 2, Betia 2, Sajulga 0, Monteiro 0.
UE 80 – Bernabe 20, Magpantay 17, Gutierrez 13, De Leon 11, Martin 6, Pajarillaga 4, Ablaza 4, Diswe 3, Viajar 1, Rodriguez 1, Santiago 0, Duray 0.
Quarter scores: 19-25, 41-34, 74-51, 110-80.

2nd game

UST 83 – Ferrer 21, Sarcia 15, Ilarde 14, Cabauatan 12, Mison 11, Corre 9, Lazaro 1, Salas 0, Gooh 0.
ADU 71 – Llaunderes 9, Saludo 9, Domingo 9, Hermoso 7, Villondo 6, Umengan 5, Soriano 5, Mendoza 5, Quinlog 4, Margallo 4, Manlangit 4, Polican 2, Solomon 1,  Taguimacon 0, Malco 0.
Quarter scores: 13-16, 44-33, 61-49, 83-71,

3rd game

FEU-FERN 60 – Fabian 12, Custodio 12, Dimdam 11, Gelog 9, Pearson 9, Tanoy 4, Palacio 3, Sia 0, Paulino 0, Lumahan 0, Carino 0.
NU 51 – Lara 19, Estoce 12, Meneses 7, Tansingco 5, Parungao 4, Atangan 4, Rivero 0, Carta 0, Caparas 0, Banquiao 0.
Quarter scores: 11-13, 27-26, 43-38, 60-51.

4th game

ADMU 101 – Ravena 21, Gadia 12, Pessumal 11, Romero 10, Gamboa 8, Suarez 7, Puno 7, Mercado 6, Vitangcol 3, Lim, 3, Javelosa 3, Sacluti 2, Ressureccion 2,  Austria 2, Tenorio, Dumrique 0.
UPIS 45 – Ancheta 15, Cinco 12, Lina 5, General 4, Abenojar 3, Villaluna 2, Rodriguez 2, Gregorio 2, Nacpil 0, Mercado 0, Lopez 0, Chua 0, Quejada 0.
Quarter scores: 29-12, 59-17, 81-29, 101-45.

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