By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-D) opened its title defense with a 22-9 rout of Adamson University in the Under-19 division of the UAAP Season 88 high school 3×3 basketball tournament at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City on Monday.
Marc Burgos and Sam Hall paced the Baby Tamaraws with six points apiece, while graduating forward Cabs Cabonilas and JB Cagurangan added five points each.
“I’ll just do my best and help win the championship for my teammates,” Cabonilas, who also had six rebounds and four assists, said.
FEU-D is seeking a “golden double” after dominating the 5-on-5 tournament in March.
“I will do my best so that we can finish well in my last tournament in high school. I also want to pass on to my teammates what I learned,” Cabonilas said.
In other results, De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ) nipped University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS), 20-19; National University Nazareth School defeated Ateneo de Manila University in overtime, 21-18; and University of Santo Tomas (UST) downed University of the East (UE), 21-16.
In the U-16 division, Ateneo kicked off its title campaign with a 21-14 win over UPIS.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Sky Jazul led the Blue Eaglets with 11 points.
“Our mindset is to play as one and try to defend the championship. But we have to take it one game at a time,” the 15-year-old son of retired Philippine Basketball Association player RJ Jazul said.
“I just try to become this year’s leader. I’ll try my best to encourage them and give them confidence to make it to the championship.”
Other winners were FEU-D over UST, 21-16; and DLSZ over UE, 16-15. (PNA)
