UAAP’s National University and Far Eastern University pulled off similar dramatic wins on Tuesday and set up what could be explosive semis encounters with NCAA’s best in the 7th Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship ‘Rain or Shine Cup’ on Tuesday at the SGS gym in Quezon City.
The NU Bullpups rode on the heroics of center Karl Kevin Quiambao to eke out a 76-75 win over the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, while the FEU Baby Tamaraws outlasted the Chiang Kai Shek College Blue Dragons, 68-62, to advance to the semis stage, which is a knockout affair.
In the semis, NU will face reigning titlist San Beda University, while FEU takes on former NCAA champion La Salle Greenhills.
The Red Cub continued their rampage with a 93-55 thumping of the Xavier School Golden Stallions – thanks to another well-balanced attack anchored on Yukien Andrada, Winston Ynot and Anfernee Estacio.
The La Salle Greenies likewise followed suit by pulling off off a 76-73 win over the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers through the stellar showing of Inand Val Fornilos and Vincent David in the annual tournament bankrolled by Poly Gloss, Freego, Dickies Underwear, Hapee Toothepaste, IronCon Builders, MEC Networks, Blackwater Sports, and Che’Lu Bar and Grill.
The champion in the event also backed by Molten, by Masumax Food Supplement, Cherrylume, SUMO GI Sheets, Molten and Choi Garden gets P50,000, with the runner-up taking P30,000.
The 6’5” Quimbao capped his game-long brilliance with a putback following a bungled jumper by Gerry Abadiano with only a second left. He finished with 19 points on top of 15 boards and two assists.
Shooting guard Terrence Fortea provided the needed firepower, adding 13 points aside from posting five rebounds and three assists as he and Quiabao made up for the absence of 6’7” Carl Tamayo.
Like the Bullpups, the Greenies also went to the wringer before dispatching the stubborn Light Bombers.
Fornilos led all LSGH scorers with 25 points, but it was David who delivered the biggest blow, coming through with a huge 3-point shot that shattered a 73-73 count with only two ticks remaining.
Andrada dominated the shaded lane to produce a double-double of 16 points and 10 boards for the Red Cubs. while Ynot and Estacio combined for 28 points as the trio underscored the team’s offensive might.
For the Baby Tamaraws, it was RJ Abarrientos who shone brightest with 14 points, including a jumper with only 41 seconds left that helped them secure the win.
