ADAMSON promised to spring a few more surprises this UAAP Season 88.
Consider this one as the Soaring Falcons' first for this year.
Ray Allen Torres drilled the booming triple for the San Marcelino crew, as they hacked out a thrilling 62-59 victory over defending champion University of the Philippines on Wednesday at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
The UP Integrated School stud struck the hardest at his former school, pulling up for the game-winner from the top of the arc with 2.8 seconds left to send the Fighting Maroons to their first 0-2 start since Season 79 in 2016.
Against all odds, Adamson caught this big fish despite the shoddy officiating in the waning minutes and got things done this time after falling to La Salle, 60-58, last Saturday.
It was also the Soaring Falcons' first victory vs. their Diliman counterparts since Season 84 when Jerom Lastimosa buried the dagger three to cement the 66-58 win back in April 22, 2022.
Adamson does Adamson things
This time, it was a collective effort for the white-and-blue with AJ Fransman leading with 10 points and eight rebounds and Torres dropping 10 points on 2-of-5 clip from rainbow country.
Cedrick Manzano corralled eight points, seven boards, and four assists before fouling out with 1:30 left to play to move up to a 1-1 slate.
"We had to grind this game out and that's really expected. From start to finish, dikit at nagkadikdikan. Medyo gulong-gulo kami kanina and we wanted to adjust to the referees kasi naguguluhan kami," said coach Nash Racela.
"Buti na lang, the players were able to get it done."
The curse continued for defending champion UP inside the UST venue, falling down the cellar for the first time in close to a decade.
Gerry Abadiano paced the Fighting Maroons with 15 points, Harold Alarcon chipped in 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists, and Gani Stevens registered 10 points and four boards in the defeat.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 62 - Fransman 10, Torres 10, Manzano 8, Montebon 8, Anabi 6, A. Ronzone 6, Erolon 6, Barcelona 3, Demisana 2, Medina 2, Tumaneng 1, Perez 0, C. Ronzone 0, Ojarikre 0.
UP 59 - Abadiano 15, Alarcon 12, Stevens 10, Nnoruka 8, Palanca 4, Torres 4, Fortea 4, Bayla 2, Remogat 0, Felicilda 0, Belmonte 0, Yniguez 0, Alter 0.
Quarters: 15-13, 26-24, 46-39, 62-59.
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