Baby Falcons clinch first title in 31 years

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson tamed National U-Nazareth School, 90-73, in a winner-take-all duel to end a drought of more than three decades in UAAP juniors basketball.

Falling short of claiming the ultimate prize in Game 2, the Baby Falcons made sure to take care of business this time, and ran away with the Season 86 plum at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan yesterday.

Five players hit twin digits with JC Bonzalida piling up a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double as the top-ranked San Marcelino-based squad ended a long 31-year wait for a return to the throne.

Mythical Five member Justine Garcia scored 15 points with four rebounds and three assists while Finals MVP Mark Esperanza (13), Allen Perez (11) and Vince Reyes (10) produced key contributions.

It’s the ninth overall title for the Baby Falcons and the first since a six-peat in 1993 under the watch of now player-agent Charlie Dy.