FEU, UST beat foes in auspicious debuts

TheMindanaoToday.com | FEU, UST beat foes in auspicious debuts

By: Jack Biantan

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur — Nigerian import Peter Osang Thursday night proved once again that height and heft rule in the hard court as he led Weng Burs Apartelle-University of Sto. Tomas to a 71-59 win over the defending champion ARQ Construction Adamson University Soaring Falcons in the main event of the 2025 Kirk Asis Invitational Basketball tournament held here at Lope Asis gym at the heart of Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.

Games on June 28

10:00–11:30 AM – Game 7: FEU vs UST; 2:00–3:30 PM – Game 8: JRU vs Adamson; 4:00–5:30 PM – Exhibition Game: Coaches vs LGU (if necessary); 7:00–8:30 PM – Game 9: Letran vs UST; 8:30–10:00 PM – Game 10: FEU vs JRU

In the opener, Bayugan fans witnessed the rebirth of former FEU ace Terrence Romeo on the good-looking Davaoeno Jorick Bautista as he lifted the MAIR Construction@Merchandise FEU Tamaraws to a 90-80 win over to the debuting Bustamante Construction Letran Knights.

Peter Osang, the 6-8 muscular import, dominated the boards in the final stretch and outplayed the Falcons’ big men to finish off Adamson and gave the Glowing Tigers their first win in the five-team single round robin contest. He finished with 18 points and ruled the boards with 14 rebounds.

Gelo Crisostomo also played a key part in UST’s win as he was steady from start to finish with 19 points and finished with seven rebounds.

The Falcons with their wings clamped like the wheels of a confiscated car by the MMDA, were good only at the start, recording their first and only lead in the low-scoring first quarter, 16-14. Only Matty Erolon was in double figures for the Falcons with 16 points, as their shooters went puff and failed to deliver. Their African import OJ Ojakre in spite of his thunderous slam in the last quarter failed match Osang’s firepower as he finished only with four points.

Adamson had rallied in the last 7 minutes of the final canto, cutting UST’s lead to only points 52=57 after UST’s Forrthsky Padrigao was thrown out of the match after throwing the ball to Austine Ranzone.

This did not stop UST from coming back as Crisostomo and Osang led the charge and stopped Adamson’s rally just in time. What added to Adamson’s woes was resting of big man Ced Monzano with three minutes to go after he committed a hard foul on Osang. Without Manzano in the middle Osang was free to throw his weight and dominated under the boards to cement their first win.

The usually prolific Manzano finished only with nine points and grabbed only five rebounds.

Jorick Bautista played a key role in FEU’s win over the Letran Knights as he was like a master conductor on the hardcourt, orchestrating plays but most importantly as cool as ice scoring four three pointers with a very high average of 80 per cent. He finished with 26 points and four assists, despite grabbing no rebounds. He is being compared to Romeo, the former FEU superstar becuase of their hansome looks. He is, however, less flashy than Romeo but more steady with plays and accurate in his shots.

FEU completely dominated the Knights as they went on to carve their biggest lead of 15 points, 68-53, early in the fourth quarter. Letran tried to stage a comeback with Deo Cuajao leading the charge. The Tamaraws, however, with their African import Mohammed Konteh dominating the middle, stopped Letran’s rally just in time to secure their win.

Letran clearly was missing the services of its prized point guard from Cebu, Jonathan Manalili, who had a tooth extraction early this week. He will be back today.

Cuajao was the revelation for the Knights as he top-scored with 27 points, the only player who finished in double figures for the Knights. He also scored three 3-pointers and grabbed 6 rebounds.

In the battle between the coaches and the local LGU’s former PBA standout Mark Isip scored 21 points to lead the former PBA and collegiate stars to a 84-82 win. He also grabbed 21 rebounds to dominate the boards. Rommel Adducul and Sean Chambers added 14 each.

For the local LGU’s Christian Felicilda top-scored with 27 points while Marlon Oraiz chipped in 24 points.

TEAM COACHES 84 – Isip 21, Chambers 14, Adducul 14, Cay 12, Herrera 8, Milla 4, Parmis 4, Bansua 3, Ricardo 2, Vallena 2, BAYUGAN LGU 82 – Felicilda 27, Oraiz 24, Dalumay 7, Serdena 6, Albar 5, Felicidada C. 4, Parba 2, Quarter Scores: 17-27; 44-39; 73-59; 84-82

MAIR Construction@Merchandize-FEU Tamaraws 90 – Bautista 26, Moncopa 17, Felipe 9, Konteh 9, Montemayor 8, Pasaol 8, Baguno 8, Salansang 3, Jones 2, Nakai 2, Bustmante Construction-Letran Knights 80 – Cuajao 27, Rosilio 9, Bunsalida 9, Montecillo 8, Omega 7, Gammao 3, Tapenio 3, Roque 2, Silorio 2, Yusi 1 Quarter scores: 23-17; 46-39; 7062; 90-80

Weng Burs Apartelle-UST Growling Tigers 71 – Crisostomo 19, Osang 18, Cabanero 8, Llemt 7, Galum 6, Acido 5, Padigrao 4, Estacio 2 ARQ Construction-Adamson Soaring Falcons 59 – Erolon 16, Manzano 9, Torres 7, Perez 6, Ojarjkre 4, Montebon 2, Manu 2, Ronzone 2 Quarter Scores: 16-14; 25-31; 43-55; 59-71 (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)

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