UAAP 74 hoops recap

DLSU's Norbert Torres goes for a jump-hook in a game against UST.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

With College basketball heating up and the second half of UAAP hoops already in full effect, things are getting more interesting. Every team is looking to shake things up as the road to the Final Four continues. Without further ado, here's a look back what made some noise last week:

Thursday, August 11

Game 1: AdU Falcons whip UP Maroons 72-46

Getting embarrassed was perhaps the last thing the UP Fighting Maroons wanted but they never thought it would happen on that particular Thursday afternoon. They were literally getting pounded by one of the top teams in the UAAP today. The Adamson U Soaring Falcons somewhat expected it to be an easy one for their part. And an easy win it was.

Adamson literally made an example out of UP that they're hungry to win this year's championship. Alex Nuyles dropped 21 points, 5 boards, 3 steals and 2 dimes on the hapless Maroons -- a team that played their worst game this season. The Fighting Maroons were merely shooting bricks from the field.

Mike Silungan was the only one in double figures for UP with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block.

Game 2: DLSU escape UST's wrath 74-71

The Green Archers were off to a good start as they lead the Tigers on a large margin -- everything changed in the 3rd quarter. The tables have turned and UST made a surging comeback. In spite it all, the Archers made a defensive stops on the hot shooting of UST's Jeric Fortuna and somehow managed to pull away with a victory to wrap up the first round of UAAP hoops action.

DLSU's Norbert Torres played his best game and finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks, 1 steal and 1 assist.

The Tigers' big man Karim Abdul had a double-double performance with 21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block while his teammate Jeric Fortuna with 20 points, 5 rebounds, dropped 4 dimes and 2 steals.

Saturday, August 13

Game 1: NU get some payback on UE 91-51

Their round 1 encounter ended in a close one favoring the UE Red Warriors and finally getting their first win. The Bulldogs haven't forgotten that the heartbreaking loss. This time around, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and rest of the NU Bulldogs were ready for them. They showed their fangs, made a statement that lightning wasn't gonna strike them twice and destroyed the Red Warriors in the process.

The Bulldogs' Emmanuel Mbe played yet another monster of a game with 21 points and grabbed 16 boards. His teammate Superstar Rook Ray Parks Jr. chipped in with 18 points, 8 rebounds, dropped 7 dimes, 1 steal and 1 block.

Game 2: Ateneo nip FEU 74-67

Fresh from clobbering the Tamaraws in round 1 of tournament, the Blue Eagles faced the same team to open the 2nd round. Coach Norman Black knew that FEU were itching to get their revenge on his team. Of course, the Blue Eagles mentor wasn't gonna let that happen. As expected, Ateneo beat the crap out of FEU to extend their win streak and stay undefeated.

Nico Salva exploded with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block for the Blue Eagles. Rookie Kiefer Ravena wasn't far behind and had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Tamaraws' RR Garcia lead his team in a losing effort with 17 points, 6 dimes, 4 rebounds and 1 steal.

Sunday, August 14

Game 1: UST Tigers devour UP Maroons 77-70

After losing to La Salle on Thursday, they were looking to blow-off some steam bounce back. Unfortunately for the Fighting Maroons, they came in at a wrong day to mess with the angry Tigers. UP managed to stay with UST's game but it was clearly not enough to pull an upset. The Tigers lead the Maroons the entire game until the final horn sounded.

UST's resident big man Karim Abdul was in beast mode dropping 21 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, 3 dimes and 1 block.

Mike Silungan was the high point man for State U with 19 points, 8 rebounds, dropped 7 dimes, blocked 5 shots and 1 steal.

Game 2: Adamson beat La Salle 68-66

In what seemed to be the Gang Green's revenge on the Falcons wasn't meant to be. La Salle had a great start leading the Adu 18-11 in the first quarter. Things were looking good until the Soaring Falcons decided to quit fooling around play some basketball. Adamson quickly made a scoring run in the 2nd quarter that had them leading DLSU by 15 points to end the first half.

They had quite a huge lead in the 3rd quarter then the Archers made some defensive adjustments and had scoring run of their own. Almond Vosotross lit up and the Falcons couldn't find an answer for his red hot shooting.

It all came down to a few ticks left in the game and score was tied up 66 all. It was Adamson's possesion and swingman Alex Nuyles had the rock. It was all up to Jarelan Tampus to stop Nuyles in the isolation play. Then Nuyles got enough space for a pull up for a cold-blooded J to defeat the Archers.

The Falcons' Eric Camson lead his team with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block. Alex Nuyles added 14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.

Almond Vosotross of DLSU finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists.