MATTY Erolon saved Adamson from another what-could've been, hitting a clutch three-pointer in the final 30 seconds to shoot the Soaring Falcons over defending champion La Salle, 63-60, Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City and close the first round of UAAP Season 89 on the right note.
It was only Erolon’s second triple of the game, but it proved to be the one that mattered most, as Adamson held its nerve down the stretch - four days after failing to hold on to a big lead against the University of the Philippines.
The Soaring Falcons rode a 23-10 opening quarter to seize control and held the upper hand even as the Green Archers showed signs of life in the endgame - until Erolon's heroics, that is.
“Sobrang saya kasi binigay sa’kin ‘yung tiwala ni coach Nash [Racela]. Nu’ng nasa bench ako, iniisip ko na mag-stay composed lang. Sinasabi ko sa sarili ko na ‘wag ka lang kakabahan,” the graduating guard said.
Lumaban, Adamson
Erolon finished with 14 points, while backcourt running mate Mathew Montebon added 11 markers.
With the win, the Soaring Falcons improved to 4-3 for a three-way tie for third with Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas.
The Green Archers, on the other hand, finished the first round with four defeats, one more than it had at the same stage of its Season 88 championship run.
Twin 12-point games from Jacob Cortez and Henry Agunanne went to waste, as La Salle loses back-to-back games for the second time in the season.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 63 — Erolon 14, Montebon 11, Anabo 8, Jonah 7, Torres 6, Canete 6, Mangaron 4, Edding 3, Demisana 2, Tumaneng 2, Medina 0, Perez 0, Pacquiao 0.
LA SALLE 60 — Cortez 12, Agunanne 12, Abadam 9, Pablo 6, Amos 6, Dungo 5, Tovera 3, Marasigan 2, Gagate 2, Daep 2, Quines 1, Macalalag 0.
Quarters: 23-10, 36-28, 51-41, 63-60.
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