FEU, LS-Zobel jostle for No. 1

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern University and La Salle Zobel remained tied for the lead as they posted contrasting victories in the UAAP Season 74 juniors basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle gym yesterday.

The Baby Tamaraws repulsed the stubborn Adamson University Baby Falcons, 63-61, to notch their 10th win in 12 games.

The Junior Archers later matched that record with a 77-48 rout of the University of the East side.

Jerie Pingoy scattered 29 points for FEU, which trailed majority of the way but rallied in the stretch to pound out the come-from-behind win and deal Adamson its seventh loss in 12 matches.

NU, at 9-3, still has a chance of barging into the top two for a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals, and so is Ateneo, which grabbed its eighth win in 12 games with a 66-62 win over University of the Philippines Integrated School.

 William Polican had 19 points and Angelo Quinlog and Alwin Margallo made 11 points apiece for Adamson, which, like fellow fifth-placer University of Santo Tomas, which lost to National University, 51-50, is already out of the Final Four picture with only two playdates left in the eliminations.

John Boo had an all-around game for La Salle-Zobel with 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists while Alexander Torres had 14 points, five rebounds and three steals.

Gabriel Reyes added 12 points, five rebounds and two steals for the Junior Archers.