By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Bonn Daja stepped up in the overtime period as the De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ) Junior Archers prevailed over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets, 73-65, in the UAAP Season 87 boys basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Sunday, January 26.

Trailing 65-64 after a layup by Blue Eaglets’ Ziv Espinas, Daja converted six straight points to give the Junior Archers a 70-65 lead with just more than a minute left in the extra period.

The Blue Eaglets had opportunities to close the gap, but costly turnovers from Jay Leal and Lans Lagdamen allowed the Junior Archers to pull away courtesy of a layup by Alas and a free throw by Ken Atienza.

Alas finished with a game-high 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block, while Daja added 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks as the Junior Archers improved to a 2-1 win-loss slate.

“We seem to like overtime games. It showed the heart of these guys,” DLSZ head coach Boris Aldeguer said after the game.

“These guys and their resilience, that’s what propelled us to this win today,” he added.

Leal led the Blue Eaglets with 14 points, six rebounds and one steal.

Espinas posted a double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, five steals, and two assists, while Chris Urbina contributed 11 points as they fell to a 0-3 mark.

Meanwhile, the National University Nazareth School Bullpups surged to a 3-0 start after a dominant 75-58 victory over the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws (2-1).

Collins Akowe led the Bullpups with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Macmac Alfanta contributed 10 markers./ASC, WDJ