Forthsky Padrigao, playing his second game after missing most of the first round, took charge in the second period for the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eaglets, as they demolished the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, 77-61, last Sunday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
Padrigao, who missed most of the first round after he underwent surgery for appendicitis, hit 13 of 19 points in the second canto.
His efforts helped the Blue Eaglets post their seventh win in 10 outings in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines junior basketball tournament and move to a share of second spot with the Baby Tamaraws.
Seven-foot-one slotman Kai Sotto showed the way with 27 points and 22 rebounds for the Blue Eaglets.
After missing six games, Padrigao played one of his best games this season, making 11 points in the last 5:50.
This enabled the Blue Eaglets to engage FEU-Diliman into a few deadlocks before moving away on a 30-21 edge in the remaining 5:02.
Successive baskets from Padrigao and Geoff Chiu in the final 6:42 of the fourth handed Ateneo its biggest edge, 47-29.
RJ Abarrientos made 16 points for the Baby Tamaraws.
Earlier, Gerry Abadiano eked out a a career-high performance of 29 points, five rebounds and two assists as the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups swamped the Adamson Baby Falcons, 112-71.
This kept the Baby Falcons in the solo lead with their 9-1 win-loss card.