BABY TAMS STRENGTHEN STRANGLEHOLD ON SOLO FIRST

MVP frontrunner Cabs Cabonilas delivered an all-around performance, as FEU-Diliman dispatched Adamson, 84-65, to solidify its hold on first place in the UAAP Season 88 boys’ basketball tournament Sunday afternoon at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Cabonilas starred once more with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, 12 rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and two blocks, as the Baby Tamaraws relied on a strong first-half performance to extend their winning streak to seven games.

In the earlier contest, Noah Banal came through when it mattered most, leading Ateneo past University of the East for a gritty 67-58 triumph.

With the results, FEU-D remained in solo first at 8-1, while the Blue Eagles righted the ship for a 7-2 slate, good for second.

With the Baby Tams coming off a dominant 46-32 first half, the Baby Falcons showed signs of life by trimming a 16-point, 55-39 third-quarter deficit to an eight-point gap at 57-49, behind timely hits from Mac Jenodia, Chrys Gomez, and Kieff Iledan.

However, FEU-D quickly restored order, as back-to-back triples from Adi Alagaban and Khean Esperanza, a Marc Burgos layup, and a Jastien Dagcutan free throw re-established a 15-point, 66-51 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Burgos provided ample support, with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, two rebounds, one assist, and one block, while Sam Hall contributed 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Esperanza added nine points, three assists, three steals, and one block, as JB Cagurungan and Alagaban chipped in six points each.

Jarl Artango led Adamson (4-5) with 13 points, seven steals, three rebounds, and two assists, while Kevin Frogoso finished with 10 points, two assists, and one steal.

Meanwhile, Banal finished with 12 points, four steals, and one assist, and was backstopped by Jude Eriobu with 14 points, 22 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals.

Jay-M Leal added 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block, while Audwyn Tamayo provided spark off the bench with 12 points—10 in the first half—along with three steals, two rebounds, and one assist.

Louie Bual paced the Jr. Warriors (3-6) with 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, as Jamal Diaz finished with 12 points and four rebounds.

The Scores:

First Game

ATENEO 67 - Eriobu 14, Leal 12, Tamayo 12, Banal 12, Kallos 8, Espinas 6, Gatmaitan 3, Kaw 0, Aquino 0, Madrangca 0.

UE 58 - Bual 13, Diaz 12, Aguas 10, Roquid 9, Delos Reyes 6, Abellar 3, Braga 2, Edoukou 2, Oraa 1, Timbol 0, Orca 0, Lorenzo 0, Panganiban 0, Pascual 0, Copada 0.

Quarters: 22-19, 44-34, 49-45, 67-58.

Second Game

FEU-D 84 - Cabonilas 19, Burgos 18, Hall 11, Esperanza 9, Cagurungan 6, Alagaban 6, Dagcutan 5, Sohm 4, Carino 4, Raneses 2, Gaye 0, J. Santos 0, Dulin 0, D. Santos 0, Enriquez 0.

ADAMSON 65 - Artango 13, Frogoso 10, Bautista 9, Gomez 9, Jenodia 8, Iledan 5, Flores 4, Babad 2, Alcartado 2, Garcia 2, Matillano 1, Saygo 0, Gonzales 0.

Quarters: 29-12, 46-32, 66-51, 84-65.

2026-02-15T08:15:11Z