MANILA – Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws rode on the career game of Ilonggo Ronrei Tolentino to score an 87-65 win over University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons on Sunday at San Juan Arena.
Tolentino, who previously played for Iloilo National High School, finished with 20 points going along with seven rebounds for the Baby Tamaraws, which formalized its entry in the final four with its 9-3 win-loss slate.
Holding to a slim 20-17 lead after the opening quarter, the Tamaraws slowly pulled away in the second frame behind inside hits by Tolentino for a 44-32 advantage at the half.
The lead swelled further for the Baby Tamaraws in the second half with Ilonggo John Bryan Sajonia, Xyrus Torres and Jorick Bautista to tally its largest lead of the match at 29 points.
Meanwhile, Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano continued his strong performance this season as he powered National University Bullpups to a 77-56 win over the University of the East Junior Warriors.
The Bullpups were uncharacteristically in a tightly-contested match up with the Junior Warriors after the first 30 minutes until unleashing a huge scoring run behind Abadiano, Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao to break the game wide open.
Abadiano, a former standout of St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets, finished with 17 points, while Tamayo and Quiambao had 15 and 14 points, respectively, for the Bullpups (11-1).
In the other result, Ilonggo Ian Espinosa provided a huge support to Kai Sotto with 15 markers as the Ateneo Blue Eaglets ousted the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, 87-76./PN
