MANILA – Cabs Cabonilas came out with an inspired performance in the opening game of the UAAP Season 87 boys’ basketball tournament Sunday as Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-D) stunned defending champion Adamson University, 75-71, at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Cabonilas, a member of the Gilas Youth team, finished with 25 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Marc Burgos chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Liam Salangsang added 17 points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist.

“We just followed our game plan. The game plan in practice, we adjusted it a little because I have confidence that my players can overcome them. What we experienced over the past seasons and sessions in rehearsals, that helped us recover this season," Denok Miranda said after winning his first game as coach of the Baby Tams.

Adamson held a 16-5 run to post a 46-43 lead at the end of the third quarter but FEU-D bounced back with a 19-4 attack to take a 62-50 advantage, 5:52 left.

The Baby Falcons rallied again behind Mark Esperanza, Henry Penafiel, Earl Medina, and CJ Umali to close in at 70-69, 1:37 remaining, before Cabonilas came to the rescue, scoring four of the Baby Tams' last five points to seal the win.

Esperanza led Adamson with 19 points, six assists, five rebounds, and three steals.

Medina added 14 points, seven rebounds, three steals, one block, and one assist; and Penafiel sank four triples to go with two rebounds and one assist.

Meanwhile, reigning Most Valuable Player Colins Akowe carried National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) to a 71-60 victory over University of Santo Tomas.

Akowe had 21 points, 26 rebounds, and four blocks for the Bullpups, who registered a 48-27 lead at halftime.

Carl Alfanta delivered 15 points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Jid Locsin had six points, eight assists, and eight rebounds.

“I can't ask Colins for anything more, I know that he's working on it, he's improving,” NUNS head coach Kevin de Castro said.

Charles Bucsit paced the Tiger Cubs with 15 points, five rebounds, and four steals.

Charles Esteban added 13 points, nine rebounds, and a block, while Wacky Ludovice produced nine points, seven assists, and six rebounds.

In other games, University of the East defeated Ateneo de Manila University, 88-80; and De La Salle-Zobel nipped University of the Philippines Integrated School, 79-77. (PNA)