Rookies lift Tamaraws past U-17 squad in Fr. Martin Cup

MANILA, Philippines – The Far Eastern University Tamaraws drew crucial baskets from two rookies at endgame to put away the Philippine National Men’s Under-17 squad, 69-66, last Sunday in the 20th Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament at the St. Placid gymnast of the San Beda College campus in Manila.

Francis Tamsi, a prized find from Bohol and Davao standout Jeson Delfinado made 17 and nine points, struck hard in the final minute to left the Tamaraws to their first win in Group B.

Their heroics came as the National University Bullpups and the Adamson Baby Falcons marched to their second straight win in the junior division, with the Bullpups getting 16 points from JJ Beldura as they turned back the Chiang Kai Shek Dragons, 85-56.

Gerald Fernandez and JD Tungcab hit 33 and 18 points for the Baby Falcons, who walloped Manila Patriotic School, 120-59.

After Richard Escoto put the nationals ahead for the last time with his charity in the last 1:04, 66-65,  the Tams found the chance to move ahead, first off Delfinado’s jumper with 54.5 seconds left.

Split charities from Tamsi and Delfinado in the last two seconds allowed the Tams to escape with the win.

Last Thursday, the Lyceum Philippines University-B Pirates got 14 points from Joseph Gabayni as they posted their second straight triumph in Group A at the expense of the Centro Escolar University-Malolos Scorpions, 87-52.

Donald Tankoua made 12 points for the San Beda Red Lions, who won over the LPU-A Pirates, 66-61.

Michael del la Cruz and Matt Nieto showed the way for the nationals with 11 points apiece.