The Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws leaned on a balanced scoring from seven players to topple the University of the East Junior Warriors, 70-46, yesterday in the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines junior basketball tournament.
Patrick Sleat led the way for 10 points as the Baby Tamaraws picked up their ninth win in 10 games and secured a playoff slot in the Final Four semifinals.
Top gun Anfernee Estacio did not score much for the Baby Tamaraws after seeing action for limited minutes and making only six points.
Cholo Anonuevo tallied nine points with Aeron Bagunu and Royce Mantua and unloaded a trey in the remaining 7:19 of the second canto to lift the Baby Tams a 20-9 spread and into a 26-13 halftime lead.
Triples from Anonuevo and Mantua with 7:50 left in the third handed FEU their biggest edge, 33-13.
The Baby Tams have joined the league-leading Nazareth School of National University in assuring themselves of at least a playoff berth.
Earlier, the Ateneo Blue Eaglets trounced the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 104-84, while the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs blasted Adamson, 88-80, to remain on track of their goals.
Josh Lazaro, who like Estacio is from San Beda, came up with his best game with a 26-point, 13-rebound output, and helping power Ateneo to a 5-5 slate in fourth.
John Lina Lina struck with 24 points for UST, which hiked its record at third with a 6-4 slate.
The Junior Warriors are behind at 3-7 and the Junior Maroons fell to 0-10.
