ADAMSON, indeed, continues to have more than a few surprises up its sleeve.
Relying on their swift shooting and suffocating defense, the Soaring Falcons humbled University of Santo Tomas, 69-56, and sent the Growling Tigers crashing back to earth on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
It's a big bounce back for Adamson coming off a 30-point loss to La Salle three days ago, as it tied UST at 2-1 in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball standings.
UST's growl goes missing
On the other hand, the Growling Tigers go back to Espana disappointed after a failed try for their best start since 2015.
It's the complete opposite for the Soaring Falcons, already blowing way past low expectations placed on them the preseason, and coach Nash Racela couldn't be more pleased with the effort of his wards.
"I'm happy with the effort my players gave today. If you look at the stats, we outrebounded a bigger team in UST, so that just means they gave it great effort today," said the mentor, as they boasted of a 46-33 edge on the boards.
In particular, transferee AJ Fransman came out of nowhere and dropped 11 points and 10 rebounds, but most of all provided the energy which the rest of his side hinged on to score win No. 2 out of three games.
Mathew Montebon also delivered 15 points, five boards, four assists, and two steals, as ex-UST guard Royce Mantua got back at his old alma mater with 11.
It was a superb second half for the San Marcelino side, shooting a sky-high 48-percent from the field as Joshua Yerro's and-one play pushed their lead to 20, 67-47.
UST, on the flipside, could not sustain its hot opener, running straight to a brick wall as it was held to just six points in the third quarter.
The scores:
ADAMSON 69 – Montebon 15, Fransman 11, Mantua 11, Erolon 6, Yerro 5, Calisay 5, Manzano 5, Ramos 5, Barasi 2, Ojarikre 2, Anabo 2, Ronzone 0, Ignacio 0, Dignadice 0.
UST 56 – Cabañero 16, Manaytay 9, Tounkara 7, Paranada 6, Lane 4, Robinson 3, Pangilinan 3, Padrigao 2, Estacio 2, Llemit 2, Laure 2, Acido 0, Crisostomo 0, Mahmood 0
Quarters: 13-20, 33-32, 52-39, 69-56.
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