Games on Saturday (The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. UP vs NU
4 p.m. FEU vs UST

Defending two-time champion Ateneo de Manila University and Adamson blasted their respective foes on Friday to tie for second De La Salle University in the 73rd UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum,

The Blue Eages overcame a tight first half to dismantle winless University of the Philippines, 78-53, while the Falcons frustrated struglling University of the East, 69-56.

Both teams are now tied with the idle Green Archers with identical four wins and two losses as they move closer to at least a tie for second place at the end of the first round.

In winning their second straight since dropping a 66-63 decision to La Salle almost two weekes ago, Ateneo got 18 points from forward Nico Salva, a career-high 13 points from sophomore guard Juami Tiongson and 12 points, nine rebounds and four steals from veteran guard Eric Salamat.

The Eagles even built a commanding 25-point lead in the second half as they exploited UP's miserable outside shooting.

"The offense in the first quarter was not very good but we're really trying to reach our goa defensively by allowing our opponents to 15 points per quarter and we were able to do that," said Coach Norman Black.

Center Magi Sison had 13 points and eight rebounds while Alvin Padilla added 12 markers but the Fighting Maroons still remained winless after six games.

In the first game, the Falcons leaned on the exploits of Alex Nuyles, big man Eric Camson and Janus Lozada to turn what was expected to be a tight contest into a rout.

In his best game so far, Nuyles had 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists while Camson came off the bench to score 15 points and seven boards.

Lozada also shone offensively by adding 10 markers.

With the victory, the San Marcelino-based cagers hiked their record to four wins and two losses, their best start since posting an even 3-3 slate in the 2006 season, the last time the school reached the Final Four.

"I think this is the most important win in the first round because we're in the middle of the standings," said coach Leo Austria. "So this is a good start for us to gain the No. 2 spot because for sure sa FEU na ang No. 1."

Adamson held UE to just 20 points in the first half before turning on the heat further in the third that saw them take a 47-24 lead through the effort of Lozada.

The Red Warriors, who just shot 23 percent in the first two quarters, tried to make a comeback behind the late brilliance from James Martinez but the Falcons, whose lead was cut to 10 on three occasions, were ready to challenge them.

"For me, UE is a very dangerous team as long as nandun si Paul Lee, James Martinez and Paul Zamar. Siguro we prepared hard against them," Austria said.

Martinez finished with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting from rainbow country while lanky Kenneth Acibar added 12 points and 11 rebounds.

But a huge disappointment for UE was superstar guard Lee.

Lee, who entered the game with a league-best 20 points per game, was held to just five points on a dismal 2-of-16 from the field and was held scoreless in the first half.

"He was our main concern (entering this game)," said Austria. "Kasi nasa kanya parati ang bola at may mga isolation plays sa kanya. This time, our stoppers like William Stinnett and Janus Lozada played well against him."

The scores:
First Game
ADAMSON 69 – Nuyles 19, Camson 15, Lozada 10, Stinnett 9, Colina 6, Alvarez 6, Manyara 4, Brondial 0, Galinato 0, Canada 0, Cabrera 0, Basillio 0.
UE 56 – Martinez 18, Acibar 12, Rosopa 6, Enguio 6, Zamar 6, Lee 5, Reyes 3, Santos 0, Razon 0, Casajeros 0, Tagarda 0, Duran 0 Ayala 0.
Quarters: 17-8; 31-20; 50-31; 69-56.

Second game:
ATENEO 78 — Salva 18, Tiongson 13, Salamat 12, Golla 8, Chua 8, Escueta 6, Long 3, Estrada 2, Dela Cruz 2, Monfort 2, Bunafe 2, Austria 2, Erram 0, Balmaceda 0, Gonzaga 0, De Chavez 0.
UP 53 — Sison 13, Padilla 12, Lopez 6, Silungan 5, Co 5, Gomez 4, Reyes Ma. 3, Reyes Mi. 2, Juruena 2, Manuel 1, Saret 0, Maniego 0, Hipolito 0, Gingerich 0.
Quarters: 12-13, 38-25, 54-30, 78-53