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.
FEU, this year's UAAP host, fed off from the crowd to take an 8 - 0 lead. But the Eagles clamped down on defense while Eric Salamat and last year's MVP, Rabeh Al-Hussaini led the Eagles counter attack. Kirk Long, Jai Reyes and 2008 Rookie of the Year, Ryan Buenafe joined the fray to give Ateneo a 17 - 11 advantage after the first quarter.
An inspired Ateneo Second unit shot gave the Eagles a big lift on the 2nd quarter as they padded the lead to 11, 34 - 23. The Eagles displayed an outside shooting they are capable off as Eman Monfort hit two and Buenafe, Niko Salva and Jai Reyes each had one three-point conversion. Only a good performance by Aldrech on the defensive allowed FEU to inch closer. Ramos blocked two shots and connected on a fade away. Ateneo took a 40 - 29 lead at the half.
Reil Cervantes of FEU scored 4 quick points at the start what would be a frenetic 3rd quarter.Last year's top swatters, Nonoy Baclao and Ramos each had defensive moments in this quarter. Stocky-built Noundu also demostrated that he can be a good on ball defender. Barroca tied it at 44 all before Eric Salamat gave the lead back to Ateneo on a fastbreak lay up of his own. The quarter ended with Ateneo still up but only be 3 points, 50 - 47.
The fourth quarter was more of a grind out defensive quarter. Ramos tied game at 54 all. But the Blue Eagles scored the next 7 points with only a little over a minute left in the game. But the Tamarraws were not yet finished. Ramos completed a three-point play on a put back basket and Reil Cervantes scored on a drive to cut the lead to two, 59 - 61. Buenafe added a free-throw before rookie Garcia missed a potential game tying trey. Hussaini finished the scoring 63 - 59 in favor of Ateneo.
FEU has two promising rookies to watch out for, RR Garcia and Nioundo (did not get the complete and accurate name).
On the first game, NU whipped UP.
