The UE Red Warriors and the DLSU Green Archers proved to be tougher as each prevailed after two overtime periods over separate foes in the first round of eliminations in Men's Basketball of UAAP Season 72

The favored UE Red Warriors overcame a slow start, and a determined but hard-luck Adamson Falcons squad to post a a 95 - 91 win.

Paul Lee bounced back from a below-par performance in their previous game with a superb all-around game of 23 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists. He fed teammate Pari Llagas with a long-court past for the go ahead basket 93 - 91 in the 2nd OT.

The Falcons continue its luckless season as they lost another close match. They started the game well, and fought back hard on the fourth quarter to force overtime. Rookie Cabrera starred for the Falcons in the fourth quarter but proved to be not enough.

UE improved its slate to 3-2 to stay close to the leaders.

In the second game, DLSU came back from 17 points down to score an upset of sorts over the UST growling Tigers.

The Tigers went comfortably ahead in the third quarter. But rookie Arvie Bringas started the rally with a three point conversion before the quarter ended to cut the deficit to a more manageable 12 point lead.

In the fourth quarter, DLSU played superb defense to catch UST. Kish Co tied the game at 82 all to force the first overtime.

PJ Barua, hit his first field goal of Season 72, a trey, to tie the game at 90 all with 5.5 seconds left in the first OT. UST failed to convert in the next play that signalled the 2nd OT.

In the second overtime, the Green Archers limited the Tigers to just one Camus 2-point field goal to notch their fourth straight win.

The Tigers was the more favored team on this one, given that they have two great starters in Ababou and Mirza while DLSU has a lot young players.

But DLSU still have adefensive system that proved enough to stop the Tigers' top players. The win also showed that DLSU should still be included in the contenders list.

The win also puts the Archers in a confident morale as they will be facing next the top two teams at least on paper, Ateneo and FEU.

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Here are the winners of the awards for Men's Basketball of UAAP Season 71

Most Improved Player: Rabah Al-Hussaini
Defensive Player of the Year: Nonoy Baclao
Rookie of the Year: Ryan Buenafe

Mythical Team:
JV Casio
Chris Tiu
Rico Maierhoffer
Jervy Cruz
Rabah Al-Hussaini

Most Valuable Player: Rabah AlHussaini

Other Awards

Chris Tiu - PS Bank Maaasahan Award
Eric Salamat - KFC Court Colonel
Rabah Al-Hussaini - Jollibee Champ of the Season
DLSU Team - Head & Shoulder Crucial Stop

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The Ateneo Blue Eagles proved to be too much for the La Salle Green Archers to handle, as they (ADMU) finished off this season's championship series at the jampacked Araneta Coliseum with 62 - 51 win to sweep the Archers.

First, the Eagles main men romped off with most of the major awards in men's basketball and then the Blue Eagles romped off with the championship with their tremendous defense.

Chris Tiu, playing his final game in the UAAP bounced back from a lackluster game 1 performance to put Ateneo in commanding 41 - 26 first half lead. Then, Ateneo's defense took over in the second half to finish off the Archers in this finals series.

As expected, La Salle started full of energy with hopes of extending the series.

Things don't look good for the Eagles as this season's MVP Al Hussaini picked up two early fouls and sat out the whole half.

Well, there was no need to worry because Team Captain Chris Tiu was there to take over. He scored 9 points in the second quarter to lead his team. Jobe Nkemakolam gave Ateneo a huge lift from the bench as he delivered 8 points for the half.

After the spirited start, La Salle committed so many fouls. Main gunner Casio, had 3 while Maierhoffer had a Technical foul.

Nevertheless, the defending champion Archers never did go out without a fight.

JV Casio rallied them in the third quarter. His fourth trey of the period trimmed down Ateneo's lead to six, 43 - 49.

But that rally was negated by the succeeding turn of events.

Rico Maierhoffer was thrown out of the game after incurring his second technical foul on a controversial call apparently for giving the dirty finger sign to a blue eagle.

And then Casio picked up his fourth foul after Mangahas made a trey to help La Salle inched closer 46 - 50.

Though the fourth quarter started with Ateneo just ahead by three, 50 - 47, it was clear that La Salle is at a disadvantage.

The last quarter was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to score a basket. But Ateneo gained headway because of free throws. In a tighly-called game, La salle was on the wrong end of the calls.

Ateneo scored 5 of their first eight points on the charity line to stay ahead 55 - 49 with less than four minutes left to play.

With Maierhoffer's ejection, La Salle has only Casio to turn to which was greatly anticipated by the Eagles.

Casio warded off Jai Reyes for an offensive foul to foul out of the game. This is also his last collegiate basketball game. This practically doomed La Salle's caused.

As what Ateneo has done all season long, their defense was enough to thwart any attempt of La Salle into extending this finals series.

After a Reyes conversion inside to helped Ateneo to 59 - 49 lead with only 1:21 left, the sea of blue started off the championship celebration.

It was a great revenge for Ateneo as they swept La Salle not only on the series but on the whole season. Last years, the Archers won only two out of their five meetings to eliminate them in the final four.

Nonoy Baclao was adjudged the most valuable player in the finals series as his performance spearheaded Ateneo's tremendous defense that won them the championship.

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The Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles clamped down on the De La Salle University Green Archers and rode on the broad shoulders of Rabeh Al-Hussaini to move a win away of getting UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball Championship crown, 69 - 61.

Al-Hussaini brushed off early championship jitters before taking over game 1 in a dominating performance, finishing with 31 points on 14 of 26 field goal shooting and adding 9 rebounds. La Salle found no answer to contain Ateneo's center.

If defense really wins championship, then Ateneo is more than ready to claim this year's title as they showed once again that they can held down La Salle to poor shooting percentage. Nonoy Baclao anchored Ateneo's interior defense with his seven blocks.

The win also marked the first time that the Eagles won over the Archers three consecutive times. And unless La Salle can make the adjustment in defending Al-Hussaini and improve their field goal shooting on game 2, then they will be swept by Ateneo on the way to crown.

Chris Tiu committed two early fouls and Al-Hussaini appeared jittery at the start of the game. Rookie Ryan Buenafe played with great poise in his first UAAP finals game to lead the Eagles in the first half 36 - 29.

In the second half, Al-Hussaini stamped his class over his defenders and Ateneo's defense proved enough to thwart any La Salle run.

Rico Maierhoffer was the lone bright spot for the Archers but his efforts was not enough. JV Casio had a better game this time around but unable to rally his team to victory.

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The UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball saw some players who have basketball blood flowing on their veins.

Most noticeable among them were Marc Agustin and Paul Gonzalgo of the Adamson Falcons. They are of course, sons of PBA players, Ato Agustin and Dante Gonzalgo respectively. Although their team did not make it to the final four, they made good account of themselves with their performance this season.

Aside from the two mentioned above, I also saw the following players continue the basketball tradition in their respective families.

Joshua Webb ( DLSU ) from former senator and PBA player Freddie Webb's family.
Edgar Tanuan (FEU), son of former PBA Player Jack Tanuan.
Raymond Austria (ADMU), son of AdU coach Leo Austria.
Paul Zamar (UE), son of former UE Coach Boyzie Zamar.
Japs Cuan (UST), brother of former DLSU standout Mac Cuan.

Feel free to add those that I missed through your comments. Click on their names to see their individual statistics this season courtesy of Ubelt.com.

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Defending champion De La Salle University Green Archers and top-seeded Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles will dispute UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball championship after dispatching respective rivals in the crossover semis.

The Archers took the best challenge the Far Eastern University Tamaraws could offer and came out victorious 67 -62 in the first game. FEU led most of the game until James Mangahas' heroics in the endgame.

Mangahas, who had a career game, completed a crucial three-point play to put La Salle ahead 64 - 62 with only 35.2 seconds left and scored three more points to lead the Archers past the Tamaraws. Baracael missed two pressure packed free throws in the ensuing play. Paul Sanga's missed trey to force overtime sealed FEU's defeat

In the other game, the Blue Eagles showed why their the number 1 team of the season so far as they clobbered the University of the East Red Warriors, 70 - 50 to arrange another final showdown with their archnemesis La Salle.

The Warriors made a game out of it only in the opening quarter. The rest of the game was a display of Ateneo's domination.

The Eagles closed the first quarter on a 10 - 0 blast, outscored the Warriors 15 - 10 in the 2nd, broke the game wide open in the third and started the fourth quarter with eight straight points to put the outcome beyond doubt.

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The De La Salle University Green Archers digged down deep to their well of experience to eke out an escape win against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws 62 - 59 in their play-off game to determine the No. 2 team in Season 71 Final Four of the UAAP Men's Basketball.

JV Casio bounced back from arguably his worst performance in the UAAP to lead the Archers to another twice-to-beat advantage in the final four. History-wise, La Salle always get to the finals when having that advantage.

Casio's experience in pressure-packed games was in display as he scored 16 points that included two clutch lay-ups to thwart the Tamaraws rally.

The pressure of this crucial game affected both teams as they combined in a turn-over-filled opening half. FEU was just slightly ahead 25 - 23 going to the break.

The experienced Archers composed themselves in the second half, hitting their stride early to taste their first lead of the game 29 - 28 after Malabes scored five straight points.

The Archers forced the Tamaraws into more turnovers and stretched their lead to eleven 45 - 34 with a little over two minutes left in the quarter.

Fernandez' trey and Cervantes' tip-in allowed to Tams to stay close 39 - 47 as the quarter ended.

FEU wilted to the pressure at the start of the fourth. Coach Capacio was called for a technical foul and Baracael was tagged with an unsportsmalike foul. Aiding La Salle to enjoy its biggest margin of the game, 56 - 41.

With La Salle seemingly about to turn the game into a blow-out, FEU turn to their defense to start an 11 - 2 run and turn the momentum to their side.

Casio scored on a clutch lay-up to stem the tide of the Tams uprising to give La Salle an eight point lead 60 - 52 with three and a half minute left to play.

FEU battled back with 5 straight points to make it 57 - 60 with still 1:40 to go. DLSU turn to their main man once again as Casio delivered on another clutch lay-up to maintain distance from FEU.

Cawaling scored a basket and FEU was able to force a turnover and have the last possession. Cawaling had a wide open three to force overtime but missed, allowing La Salle to escape with win.

DLSU is just a win away from reaching the finals and defend their crown.

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The Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles made life a little harder for their archnemesis De La Salle University Green Archers as they stopped the latter from claiming the No. 2 slot, and the twice-to-beat incentive that goes with it, outright with an impressive 65 - 57 win at the end of eliminations of UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball.

JV Casio and the Archers suffered an ill-timed horrendous shooting that left the door open for the FEU Tamaraws. Both DLSU and FEU ended the elimations tied with 10 - 4 cards. They will now have a virtual best-of-three series the winner of which will advance to the finals.

The Eagles rode on a perfect start and never looked back to sweep the Archers in the elimation round and relegate them(Archers) to a harder route to reach the finals.
Last year, the Eagles won three out of their five meetings but saw the Archers holding out the crown.

JV Casio delivered arguably the worst performance of his UAAP career in a game they needed more to win, making only two out of 16 attempts.

With their main gunner shooting blanks, DLSU shot only 3/22 3 point field goals despite leading the league in that category.

Chris Tiu scored 7 points in the first quarter to lead the Eagles to a great start. DLSU shot poorly and turned the ball over a lot to fall behind 21 - 12 after the first.

The Archers played better in the second, forced the Eagles to turnovers but failed to make headway, still down 36 - 28 after the first half.

Simon Atkins scored 5 straight points from the outside to push the Archers at the start of the second half 33 - 36.

Nonoy Baclao scored seven straight points including his first trey of the season to carry the team before the Eagles closed the quarter with a 16 - 6 run for a 13 point lead going in the fourth.

Despite its poor shooting, Ateneo could not break the game wide open.

Casio finally scored on the fourth on a free throw. His fast break basket anwered Chris Tiu's lay in La Salle cut the lead to six. Rico Maierhoffer's three help the Archers inched closer 57 - 62 with only 3:26 in the game.

Nonoy Baclao once again answered with a basket and the Eagles held the Archers scoreless the rest of the way. Jai Reyes free throw rounded the scoring 65 - 57.

If there's one team that is really happy with Ateneo's win, it would be the Tamaraws. Not only do they have a chance to reach finals, Ateneo may have shown them what they need to do to beat La Salle in their best of three showdown.

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In a technically no-bearing game, the University of the East Red Warriors displayed more character and poise to derail the Far Eastern University Tamaraws' hopes of securing a play-off berth for the second spot in the final four, beating the latter 73 - 61 at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday in the penultimate day of eliminations of UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball.

The Warriors probably want to erase the stigma of their near collapse against UST that they played with more focused in the start and held off any rally the Tamaraws mounted in the fourth. The Tamaraws must now hope that Ateneo beats its archnemesis La Salle in the final playing date of eliminations to get a chance for a play-off for the last twice-to-beat incentive slot of the final four.

UE started well and scored 12 points off the 14 turnovers committed by FEu to take a 36 - 24 lead going into the halftime break.

FEU tried to rally in the third but UE kept them at bay behind Pari Llagas who scored 7 points in the quarter including a trey. Benedict Fernandez scored 10 straight points from two fastbreak lay-ups and two treys to cut UE's lead to nine, 54 - 45 going into the fourth quarter.

As they have done in the past, FEU mounted a comeback in the fourth, cutting the lead into six in numerous occasions. The last on Cervantes basket, 67 - 61 in favor of UE.

After Martinez canned two charities to up the lead to nine, the Warriors tightened their defense, Reyes came up with three steals and a fast break lay-up to finally break the Tamaraws. Paul Lee finished up the scoring with a basket, 73 - 61.

In the first game, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons ended its Season 71 campaign on a bright note by beating the National University Bulldogs 69 - 57.

The Falcons got a great game from its wingmen; Agustin, Gonzalgo and Nuyles to hand the Bulldogs the distinction of finishing last this season.

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The final four cast of the UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball is now complete.

Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles
De La Salle Univesity Green Archers / Far Eastern University Tamaraws
University of the East Warriors

Only the positioning as to who is no. 2 and no. 3 will be determined.

Which team do you think will make it all the way? Read on for my predictions.


Final Possibilities and Prediction:

ADMU vs DLSU

An epic finals match between two archrivals teeming with subplot rivalries. Tiu vs Casio. Coach Pumaren vs Coach Black. Their second round meeting might prove to be a championship preview.

On paper, the Eagles look more solid. Al Hussaini has tremendous improvement. Nonoy Baclao's rebounding and defense is an integral part of ADMU. Guards Tiu, Salamat, Buenafe and Reyes can provide the outside and slashing offense.

Coach Pumaren is the multi-titled coach that probably has seen everything in college basketball. I know he can make the adjustments needed for the Archers to repeat. JV Casio is deadly and battle tested. Rico Maierhoffer if he stay away from fouls can make life difficult for the Eagles.
The only weakness I think DLSU has is a solid pointguard. This might be the baptism of fire for Simon Atkins.

Prediction: DLSU in three games

ADMU vs FEU

As the only team so far to beat the league-leading Eagles, the Tamaraws stood a good chance of claiming season 71's trophy.

Being coached by one of the best defensive players Philippine Basketball has seen, Coach Capacio will definitely rely on defense more. Aldrech Ramos and Reil Cervantes must hold down Al Hussaini and Baclao, controlling the rebounds might prove to be the key in winning the championship. Barroca, Fernandez and Cawaling should play well to counter Tiu, Salamat and Reyes. Adolfo and Baracael need to stop Buenafe.

Prediction: ADMU in two games.

UE - DLSU

Having beaten the defending champs in the first round will suit well for the warriors and give them confidence to avenge last year's finals loss. This matchup I would like to see.

I think both teams are almost identical in their system and evenly matched in manpower. Although, the Warriors lack a go-to-guy in the caliber of JV Casio.

I hope to see a Paul Lee and JV Casio shootout.

Prediction: UE in three games.

FEU - UE

A final's match between these U-belt neighbors is unlikely but still possible. And a game between them is highly entertaining with the first meeting decided only by two points.

Advantage goes to UE, having gone to the finals last year.

Prediction: UE in three games.

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The University of the East Red Warriors and its fans heaved a sigh of relief after escaping from a furious comeback that eventually fizzled out of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers 89 - 87 to complete UAAP Season 71 Final Four cast yesterday at the Philsports Arena.

The Tigers hanging on a slim chance to sneak inside the Final Four, dug themselves a big hole in the third quarter, launched an improbable comeback from 22 points down that shocked the Warriors in the fourth quarter but blew their chance of winning by attempting ill-advised shots when they trim the lead down to 1 and 2.

The big 22 point cushion gained by UE from playing solid basketball in the third quarter and Paul Lee's five crucial points in the midst of the Tiger's rally in the fourth proved to be enough to stem the tide in their favor.

The win officially ousts the Tigers from final four contention and enable the Warriors to avoid complications should they lost.

The Tigers are arguably the heartbreak team of UAAP Season 71 despite having, what I feel is, the best individual player in the league right now - Jervy Cruz. Cruz lacked the consistent support from roster filled with promising rookies and lost starting point guard Cuan early in the season.

The Tigers have failed to win against the Final Four teams, three of which were decided by only 1 or 2 points. Prior to this game, they lost to DLSU on a game-winning tip-in of Maui Villanueva.

Having known their predicament in order to advance in the semis, the Tigers started strong, getting steals that led to easy fastbreak points. UE closed out the quarter with an 11 - 0 run to enjoy a 23 - 19 lead.

Marcy Arellano lead UE in the second period as they erected a 46 - 35 lead going to the halftime break.

UE displayed its deadly form in the third quarter as they padded its lead to as much as 24 points on a Paul Lee basket 74 - 50.

UST showed heart by outscoring UE 16 - 6 in the first four minutes of the payoff period. Coach Pido Jarencio was given a technical foul and was thrown out of the game after complaining a non-call.

If that was a psychological ploy to fire up his boys, Coach Pido did a great job. The incident fired the Tigers more as they forced UE into turnovers and made baskets on the other end.

Paul Lee, who played his best game of the season so far, scored on a nice drive and a trey to somehow derail the Tigers' furious rally, giving UE a 86 - 72 lead. UST responded with 10 straight points, the last on Mirza's trey to inch closer 86 - 82.

A pair of Llagas free throws made it 88 - 82 before Cruz and Cuan scored 7 points to help UST threateningly close 88 - 87 with 34.6 ticks to go.

Zamar turned the ball over by stepping on the sidelines, UE's ninth turnover of the quarter to give UST a chance to take the lead with still 26.2 seconds left. But Bautista shot an ill-advised three which was blocked. Francis Allera also shot a forced trey that led to an Elmer Espiritu recovery.

Espiritu muffed both charities. With 8.8 seconds to go, UST tried to win the game on another Allera trey. When the shot missed, a great sigh of relief came altogether from the UE team and its followers.

In the first game, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons took the De La Salle Green Archers into overtime before losing 84 -79.

DLSU's win ties them with FEU at 10 - 3 win-loss slate. Both teams have a game left, should they both win or loss, they will have a play-off to determine who get the twice-to-beat incentive, virtually having a best-of-three series to enter the finals. A loss by any of the two will relegate it to the number 3 slot.

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It took a hell of a quarter from JV Casio and buzzer-beating game-winning tip from rookie Maui Villanueva for the De La Salle Univeristy Green Archers to beat the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers again in the second round of UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball 81 - 79 yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.

These two teams who has a history of close games did not disappoint college hoops fan as they added another epic and memorable game to their rivalry.

JV Casio displayed a spectacular offensive assault in the fourth quarter to almost single-handedly bring the Archers to victory despite playing without head coach Franz Pumaren who is currently out of the country helping the RP Youth Team overseas.

Last season's MVP Jervy Cruz tried to match the efforts of Casio but an exciting turn of events that included two tip-ins in the waning seconds proved to be the decider with La Salle prevailing to strengthen their position for the twice to beat advantage and at the same time dealing a serious blow to UST's final four aspirations.

A slow start from both teams saw DLSU taking the first quarter 15 - 13 highlighted by an alley-oop jam of Maierhoffer. UST opened with a 13 - 4 run to take a seven-point lead four minutes into the second period. DLSU countered with 9 - 0 to retake the lead. The half ended with UST taking a two-point lead 36 - 34.

La Salle took a 51 - 43 lead behind Casio and Barua. It would have been bigger if not for many missed free throws mostly by Maierhoffer. The score was 54 - 47 after the third.

When the final period came, Casio caught fire for La Salle while Cruz carried UST inside. Casio scored 10 straight points while Cruz answered with 13 as La Salle has a slim 66 - 65 lead halfway to the quarter.

Mirza's basket tied the game at 67 - 67 before Casio scored 8 out of the next 10 La Salle points as they erected a 18 - 71 lead with only a minute left.

Left for dead, the Tigers almost pulled off a comeback in what may be the most hear-stopping turn of events of the elimination round as seldom-used Vargas scored 5 crucial points to tie the game, 79 all with just 5 seconds left.

But the Tigers' defense allowed Revilla to dribble the length of the court and attempt a good shot that paved the way for Maui Villanueva's game-winning tip-in.

The loss dropped the Tigers to 5 - 7 in the standings and imperiled their chances of advancing to the final four. They now need to sweep their next two games and hope that UE lose its remaining games to have at least a play-off for the last final four slot.

DLSU's win meanwhile kept them abreast with FEU at 9 - 3 and contend for the twice-to-beat incentive.

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The Far Eastern University Tamaraws welcomed the return of Mac Baracael to their lineup by avenging their first round loss to the National University Bulldogs 64 - 60 at the ongoing second round of UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball at the Araneta Coliseum.

Mark Barroca followed up his career game against DLSU with another superb performance in leadting the Tams to their ninth win and assuring them of a final four berth. He finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assist and 2 steals.

The Bulldogs tried to repeat over FEU, giving them a scare, before succumbing to their tenth defeat to join Adamson in the cellar of the team standings.

The Bulldogs started well, leading 20 - 16 after the opening periond behind the 11 points of guard Jahnke.

An 11 - 5 run by the Bulldogs in the second quarter has them enjoying their biggest lead 31 - 21 with 4:21 left in the period. After a time-out, the Tams employed a full court trapping defense that led to five NU turnovers to come out 37 -33 at the halftime break.

The third quarter, the waterloo of NU in this season, started with Asoro picking up his fourth foul, sending him to the bench. But FEU never broke away. Aguilar held the fort to keep FEU in sight, 56 - 48.

NU's defense held the Tams scoreless in more than five minutes in the fourth quarter to take the lead 58 - 56 after a Chris Catamora conversion.

FEU recovered in time, limiting NU to one basket the rest of the way to get win 64 - 60.

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The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers has more bite than the National University Bulldogs as they beat the latter 68 - 58 in the second round of UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball Competition.

As in past games, the third quarter doomed the Bulldogs after going toe to toe with the Tigers in the first half. The loss formally ends the Bulldogs bid for a final four slot.

The win, meanwhile, gave a big boost to the Tigers campaign to sneak past the Red Warriors for the last final four seat.

In the main game featuring two powerhouse teams, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws held off the De La Salle University Green Archers 83 - 75 to tie their victims for second place in the standings with an 8 - 3 slate.

Mark Barroca played a career game to carry the Tamaraws in the second half inspite of the Archer's surge headed by JV Casio. In that spurt, Casio converted a spectacular fast break and trey to temporarily give the lead to the Archers.

Barroca scored on all parts of the court to lead the Tamaraws and show strong contention for the twice to beat slot in the final four.

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The Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles and the Far Eastern University Tamaraws repeat over their respective foes yesterday at the Philsports Arena in the second round of eliminations of UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball.

The Tamaraws did it first over the fading Falcons in the first game 70 - 62. The Falcons found no answer to the firepower of the Tamaraws led by Fernandez and Adolfo.

In the main game, the Blue Eagles solidified their bid for the twice to beat advantage by trouncing the Growling Tigers, 85 - 76.

Team Captain Chris Tiu led the Eagles with a career high 29 points.

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This time around, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers did not need extra time to beat the Adamson University Falcons 97 - 83 in the second round of elimination of UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball at the Philsports Arena.

A 12 - 2 run in the first allowed the Tigers to a comfortable 21 -10 lead. Jervy Cruz powered his way in the second quarter while the tigers zone defense limited the Falcons production to pad the lead to 44 - 29 by half time.

The third quarter saw a better effort from the Falcons as they were able to run more at the break. The lead was whittled down to five 49 - 44. But the outside sniping of Tigers rookie guard Bautista kept the Falcons at bay. It would have been closer if the Falcons only capitalized on their free throws.

Jervy Cruz dominated in the fourth quarter to lead the Tigers to a repeat over the Falcons. The Tigers improved to an even 4-4 slate while Adamson fell to 2 - 6, putting their final four campaign in peril.


In the main game, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles relied on their outside shooting to get back at their only-loss tormentors the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 78 - 74.

The Tamaraws started hot courtesy of Paul Sanga's three pointers to lead after the first quarter 15 - 13. Chris Tiu scored seven points in the second quarter while Jai Reyes beat the halftime buzzer to help the Eagles to a 36 - 33 halftime lead.

Tiu, Salamat and AL Hussaini conspired to keet Ateneo in the lead in the third quarter. Reil Cervantes' basket kept the Tams in the game. Eric Salamat beat the buzzer to give Ateneo a 57 - 51 lead.

The Eagles took a 71 - 61 lead after two free throws from Hussaini. Two consecutive Barroca drives get the Tams closer. Salamat answered back with three to give the Eagles a 74 - 65 lead with less than five minuts in the game.

The Tams last threatened after a 9 - 2 spurt, 76 - 74. After a Hussaini basket, Aldrech Ramos missed two crucial free throws and the Eagles just wasted the clock to notch their seventh win, 78 - 74.

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The National University Bulldogs opened the second round of eliminations of UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball by getting back at their first round tormentors, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons 72 - 59.

The Bulldogs got big games from guard Jahnke, main man Asoro and good contribution from its supporting cast to win their second game in a row - their first win streak in five seasons.

The Maroons defense failed to stop the Bulldogs inside incursions and Martin Reyes, who led them with their only win this season so far, never got going. The Maroons are on a seven game losing slump.

In the main game, the De La Salle Green Archers got a revenge of their own over the University of the East Red Warriors who beat them last weekend, 70 - 61.

JV Casio led the Archers with with 25 points,

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The Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles brought back order to the Men's Basketball competition by defeating the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers 64 - 57 yesterday at the end of the first round on UAAP season 71.

In a week filled with upsets, the Eagles avoided the same fate of the other formidable contenders by defeating the Tigers who won the 2006 title at their expense.

The Tigers were ahead 54 - 51 after a Mirzah's long two. But Eagles clamped down on defense and a trey from Jai Reyes nailed the coffin for the Tigers' fourth loss.

In the opening game, the National University Bulldogs finally showed bite off its bark in an upset win over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws 69 -61.

The Tamaraws are becoming favorites after two big wins despite losing Mac Baracael. The Bulldogs though showing flashes of brilliance have yet to win a game.

The UAAP Season 71 secound round will prove to be more exciting as all teams have shown they can beat any other team.

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In the first overtime game of season 71, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers outlasted the resilient Adamson University Soaring Falcons 86 - 80 yesterday at the Philsport Arena.

Dylan Ababou and Jervy Cruz carried the fight for the Tigers to finally put away the pesky Falcons in the overtime period.

The Tigers were ahead by 70 - 63 with just 2:14 left in the game. But the Falcons never surrendered, coming up with 10 - 0 attack lead by Paul Gonzalgo, who came up with a steal, a fastbreak lay-up and the go ahead trey to push the Falcons into a 71 - 70 lead.

The Tigers seemed in the brink of defeat after losing the lead. After two free throws by Caniada with 13.7 seconds to go, the game was sent into extra period by a cold-blooded step back trey from Bautista.

In the OT period, Ababou scored nine points to finally took the fight out of the Falcons. The Falcons lost Caniada due to cramps.

The win improved the Tigers to 2-3 while the loss relegated the Falcons to 2 -4.

*****

In the first game, the Ateneo De Manila University continued the woes of the hapless National University 74 - 62.

The Blue Eagles are still undefeated while the Bulldogs has yet to win one.

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The Far Eastern University Tamaraws showed their title-contention form as they trounced their university belt neighbor, University of the East Warrriors 71 - 69 in the ongoing UAAP Season 71 Men's Senior Basketball competition at the Philsports Arena.

The Tamaraws are missing their second best gunner, Mac Baracael who was shot last Thursday by a yet unidentified gunman but is said to be in stable condition. Despite his absence, the Tams were able to keep instep with the Warriors due to the stellar play of veteran Benedict Fernandez.

The first two quarters saw two treys at the buzzer from both squad. In the first, JR Cawaling nailed a trey to give FEU a 16 - 15 lead. In the second canto, it was Marcy Arellano's rainbow heave from a well-executed play that turned the favor for UE, 33 - 31.

A bliztering start by the Warriors in the second half, propelled them to a big ten-point lead, 43 - 33. But Fernandez scored ten straight points of his own to level the count. The third canto ended with UE still up by two, 55-53.

The pay-off quarter saw two teams battle toe-toe. An Elmer Espiritu offensive rebound and power lay-in knotted the count at 66 all with 52.4 seconds left in the game. In the ensuing play, Barroca found the lane open for an uncontested lay-in putting FEU ahead, 68-66.

UE has actually two chances to tie the game but was thwarted by good inside defense from the Tams. Aldrech Ramos was fouled after getting the defensive rebound and converted two free throws, 70 - 66 with only 9.4 seconds to go.

Thiele's surprised three point basket off the glass helped UE threaten for the last time, 70 - 69.

Mark Barroca was immediately fouled in the next possesion. He made the first free-throw, missed the second but recovered his own miss as the Tamaraws escaped with the win and a 4 - 1 slate.

UE fell to an even 3-3 slate.


*****
In the first game, the De La Salle University Green Archers cruised to its fifth straight win as they crushed the University of the Philippines 82 - 60.

The Archers bench scoring proved to be enough to lead the Archers to another victory and dealt the reeling Maroons to another lopsided loss.


SOME DIVOTS:

I was surprised and moved a bit by the joint entrance of FEU and UE cheering squads in their halftime performance. Its the first time I witnessed a show of unity. I hope other teams will follow.

Coach Glenn Capacio, who I don't personally like because of his past tormenting of my favorite Allan Caidic in their hoop clashes in the past, earned my admiration by two endgame decisions. I hope he can be as successful as Coach Franz Pumaren.

It is interesting that UE has plays named Sacramento and Double Fists. Or I just heard it wrong?

I hope Baracael recovers asap for FEU's sake and the perpetrators of that ghastly shooting be apprehended immediately.

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