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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