RODNEY BRONDIAL scored the go-ahead basket with 18 seconds, rescuing Adamson from what could have been a monumental meltdown against University of the Philippines, 69-67, on Sunday in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Brondial grabbed Jericho Cruz’s miss against several UP defenders to score the go-ahead basket, giving the Falcons their first victory after three outings this season.
Brondial’s heroics preserved the efforts of Cruz and Eric Camson, who each had 19 points in the game including crucial baskets that broke UP’s momentum after the Maroons came roaring back from 20 points down.
“It was an ugly win for us but a win is a win,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria. “I’m thankful sa mga players dahil kahit nag-kanya-kanya sila nung second half, naka-recover sila.”
The Falcons bounced back after a 62-65 defeat against Far Eastern University last Thursday but nearly faltered in the end again.
After trailing 28-8 at the end of the first period, the Maroons slowly crawled their way back and finally claimed the lead on a free throw by Jelo Montecastro, 59-58.
The Falcons answered with Camson completing Alex Nuyles’ back-to-back drop passes with two undergoal stabs. Cruz pushed the lead for Adamson to six points on a driving lay-up for a three-point play, 65-59.
UP continued to be a threat as Alvin Padilla’s steal and basket tied the game at 67 with 40.5 seconds to play. However, Padilla missed the potential game-winning three-pointer after Brondial’s marginal basket as time expired.
The Maroons fell to 0-3.
The scores:
ADAMSON 69 — Cruz 19, Camson 19, Brondial 10, Nuyles 9, Rios 3, Petilos 3, Monteclaro 3, Etrone 3, Trollano 0, Julkipli 0, Deans 0, Cabrera 0, Abrigo 0.
UP 67 — Lopez 17, Ball 13, Padilla 9, Montecastro 7, Gamboa 6, Manuel 4, Asilum 4, Silungan 3, Soyud 2, Hipolito 2, Mbah 0, Romero 0, Gallarza 0.
Quarterscores: 28-8, 37-28, 50-50, 69-67.
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