Cebuano leads FEU juniors to 12th straight win

CEBUANO hotshot Jerie Pingoy gave Far Eastern University (FEU) Baby Tamaraws their 12th straight victory at the expense of Adamson Baby Falcons, 76-55, in the 75th UAAP juniors basketball tournament on Sunday.

Pingoy, also the reigning MVP, dropped 24 points as the Quezon City-based squad is just two wins away from sweeping the elimination round while earning an automatic slot in the finals. The team will also get a thrice-to-beat advantage if it will accomplish this rare feat.

Ateneo de Manila, on the other hand, leaned on Thirdy Ravena who had a triple-double with 21 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists as the Blue Eaglets inched closer in claiming the last semifinals berth by defeating archrival La Salle-Zobel, 92-80.

Ateneo, which last won the title in 2010, improved to 7-5.

In the other contest, the National University Bullpups beat the hapless University of the Philippines, 63-55, to clinch the twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four with a 11-1 slate, while the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs beat the University of the East Junior Warriors, 75-52, for their 8-4 card in third place.

In men’s play, NU held off UP to keep its Final Four bid alive, 65-60 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Reigning MVP Bobby Ray Parks had 17 points and six rebounds as the Bulldogs tied La Salle for fourth place at 8-5.

UP was relegated to the bottom for the fifth time in six years with the loss, finishing with a 1-13 slate.

Adding to the Maroons' woes next year is that they will also lose eight players to graduation namely: Alvin Padilla, Alinko Mbah, Robby Wierzba, Mike Silungan, Mike Gamboa, Mark Lopez, Jelo Montecastro and Diony Hipolito.

“I really have a high respect for UP. They don’t give up no matter what their standing is. You cannot relax, you have to play your best against them,” Bulldogs mentor Eric Altamirano, a UP alumnus, told reporters.

Down by six with 66 seconds left, Cris Ball cut the deficit to three, 60-63 but that was the last for the Maroons, who failed to repulse the Bulldogs’ stifling defense.

Jeoffrey Javillonar and Joshua Alolino split their respective charities to list the final score.

Meantime, Aracelie Abaca registered 26 markers and hauled 11 rebounds as the La Salle Lady Archers assured a playoff for the twice-to-beat semis bonus with a 75-64 drubbing of the NU Lady Bulldogs.

Sherry Luna had 13 points as the UP Lady Maroons ended their season with a 66-61 win over the UE Lady Warriors for a 2-12 record. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)