LA Salle took the first step in its redemption bid, outlasting tough-standing Adamson, 60-58, to begin its UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament Saturday at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
Jacob Cortez scored the go-ahead floater before getting a key defensive stop, grabbing a critical rebound, and setting up Mason Amos for the game-sealing trey to make it 60-56 with 7.9 seconds left, as the Green Archers got off to a winning start.
Mike Phillips was the shining light for La Salle with 17 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks, and three steals, as he got ample help from his supporting cast.
Cortez added 16 points, four boards, and four assists, rookie Lebron Jhames Daep chipped in eight points and three rebounds, and Amos had six from two three-pointers, as well as four boards and two dimes in the win.
"Adamson always gives us a good fight. They got what they wanted and we were right there where they want us to be," said coach Topex Robinson, as he gave credit to the hard time the Soaring Falcons gave to the Green Archers.
Indeed, Adamson gave La Salle a lot to handle in the low-scoring payoff period, but Cortez was there to right the ship for the Taft side after they found themselves down by three, 56-53, with 3:11 left.
Falcons push Archers to the limit
The son of 16-year PBA veteran Mike Cortez scored back-to-back hits, drew a charge from Ray Allen Torres, grabbed the defensive board off a Matty Erolon missed three, and set Amos up for the clincher.
"I guess this is just the start of our season. Still a lot of work to be done, a lot of challenges for these guys and I guess we're just gonna get better as we go along," said Robinson.
Cedrick Manzano put Adamson on his broad shoulders with 19 points and nine rebounds, but was in dire need of support in what would have been an early upset of the season.
Erolon chimed in 10 points, but shot 4-of-14 from the field, and Torres got eight points and three rebounds for the Soaring Falcons in the losing cause.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 60 - Phillips 17, Cortez 16, Daep 8, Amos 6, Marasigan 3, Gollena 3, Abadam 2, Dungo 2, Nwankwo 2, Baclaan 1, Macalalag 0, Pablo 0, Gomez 0.
ADAMSON 58 - Manzano 19, Erolon 10, Torres 8, Fransman 5, Medina 5, Ojarikre 4, Perez 4, Tumaneng 2, Anabo 1, Montebon 0, Demisana 0, Barcelona 0, C. Ronzone 0, A. Ronzone 0.
Quarters: 15-18, 33-25, 49-46, 60-58.
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