SHOULD'VE been no surprise anymore, but underrated, underappreciated Adamson remains a problem now in UAAP Season 89.
So much so that the Soaring Falcons turned down the hype on stacked Far Eastern University thanks to a 56-53 decision in the season opener at the Araneta Coliseum, Saturday.
Down 13, 33-46, late in the third quarter, Nash Racela's wards went on a 21-5 tear to, all of a sudden, go up 54-51 with 2:21 on the clock.
Promoted Juniors MVP Cabs Cabonilas closed the Tamaraws to within one only to see Matty Erolon make good on a floater and widen the margin once more.
Adamson then leaned on its tried and tested defense to seal the deal on the convincing victory vs. one of the assumed playoff contenders.
Suffocating Falcons
In all, the Soaring Falcons suffocated their opponents to just 17 points, shooting just 6-of-31 in the second half, where rookie Mat Edding caught fire with six of his 10 points, while Erolon also added all but two of his eight points.
Graduating guard Mathew Montebon was brilliant throughout with 18 points, as new foreign student-athlete Precious Jonah also impressed by holding his own against Mo Konateh with eight markers, 11 rebounds, and four blocks.
FEU, mostly intact before adding Cabonilas, was left to lick its wounds in stumbling out the gates of the tournament where it's viewed to be a lock for the Final Four, as well as a darkhorse championship contender.
Reigning Seniors MVP Janrey Pasaol scored 11 points, but shot 2-of-11 from the field, while also turning the ball over five times. Cabonilas chimed in an 11-marker, 12-rebound double-double, as Jorick Bautista fired nine points, none coming in the last three quarters.
The Scores
ADAMSON 56 - Pasaol 11, Cabonilas 11, Bautista 9, Gish 5, Konateh 5, Mongcopa 4, Felipe 4, Burgos 2, Montemayor 2, Daa 0, Nakai 0
FEU 53 - Montebon 18, Edding 10, Erolon 8, Jonah 8, Anabo 5, Torres 2, Barcelona 5, Fransman 0, Medina 0, Tumaneng 0, Cruz-Dumont 0, Pacquiao 0, Perez 0
Quarters: 11-16, 28-36, 37-46, 56-53
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