DON'T look now, but Adamson is so close to the playoff picture in UAAP Season 88 that it can taste it.
The Soaring Falcons forced a tie for fifth in the standings after hacking out a hardfought 56-53 triumph over luckless University of the East, Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Banking on disciplined defense as always, the San Marcelino squad suffocated the Red Warriors to just three points in the last three minutes to notch its third win in a row - two of them coming at the expense of their rivals from Recto.
At the other end, Cedrick Manzano, Austin Ronzone, Earl Medina, and Matty Erolon just made enough baskets in the endgame to propel Adamson's rise to 4-4 - all even with Ateneo for the fifth and sixth spots.
Without a doubt, that is a much-welcome development after coach Nash Racela's wards dropped four of their first five games.
"'Di pa kami patay, buhay pa, head above water. Yun lang naman ang gusto mo, you just want to have a chance. Today wasn't that nice, buti na lang nakakuha kami ng panalo,' he said post-game.
Stifling Falcons
Despite leading for all but 20 seconds of the game, the Soaring Falcons were being threatened throughout the final frame, as the red-and-white even had several shots to tie or take the lead.
UE finally did so thanks to DJ Robles' putback with 2:52 remaining only to see Ronzone extinguish their fire right away with a booming triple. Medina then hit a baseline jumper then Erolon converted a couple of charities to put Adamson back up, 56-50, with 15.2 ticks to go.
John Abate then fired a desperation three for the Red Warriors' only make in the endgame, but by then, time was running out on their latest chance for a breakthrough.
Manzano was the only Soaring Falcon in double-digits with an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double, as Manu Anabo also added eight markers, eight boards, and four assists. Ronzone, Medina, and Erolon then merged for 15 points, as they now turn their attention to University of Santo Tomas - the other team they beat in this winning streak.
Abate fronted the effort for the Red Warriors, as always, with 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Precious Momowei posted yet another double-double of 15 markers and 14 boards on top of two blocks and two steals.
Unable to find their way through the Adamson defense when it mattered most, however, they suffered their eighth setback in as many games.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 56 – Manzano 11, Anabo 8, Fransman 7, Erolon 7, Torres 5, Medina 5, A. Ronzone 3, Ojarikre 3, Cañete 3, Montebon 2, Demisana 2, C. Ronzone 0, Perez 0, Jaymalin 0, Barcelona 0, Tumaneng 0.
UE 53 – Abate 16, Momowei 15, Caoile 6, Lagat 6, Robles 4, Despi 2, Tañedo 2, Cabero 2, Rosete 0, Datumalim 0, Mulingtapang 0, Cruz-Dumont 0.
Quarters: 21-17, 36-28, 47-43, 56-53.
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