ADAMSON survived a horror start before coming out with a solid finish to fend off the upset-conscious University of the East, 85-72, in the UAAP Season 81 on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was a nightmare start for the Falcons as they trailed 20-3 early on before regaining their bearings and slowly creeping back into the game.
It wasn’t until the second half ‘til the Falcons finally took control of the game with Jerrick Ahanmisi and Sean Manganti taking turns in the final stretch to put away the Red Warriors for good.
The win allowed the Falcons to inch closer to a twice-to-beat spot as they improved to 10-3 for the season. The Red Warriors on the other hand dropped to 1-11.
“Of course that we still have to look at the remaining schedule this weekend, they were saying it’s a crucial weekend for everybody. That’s a problem, sometimes when you have a flat start, they think the opposing team that will just roll over. It was a different scenario,” said Adamson coach Franz Pumaren.
“They were aggressive, they were enjoying the game actually, pressure-free sila. It’s a good thing we were able to regroup, and I gave them some sweet nothings at half time,” he added.
Ahanmisi once again top scored with 23 points, going 4-for-6 from the three-point line, as Manganti added 19 points, two steals and a block.
Jerom Lastimosa added 10 points and four assists, most of which coming in the first half to stabilize the team following a flat start.
Papi Sarr had 24 rebounds to go with nine points.
A loss by La Salle on Sunday against Ateneo will assure the Falcons a twice to beat advantage.
Alvin Pasaol led the Red Warriors with 24 points, 10 rebounds and three steals as Philip Manalang added 19 points and three rebounds.
The scores:
Adamson 85 – Ahanmisi 23, Manganti 19, Lastimosa 10, Sarr 9, Camacho 7, Catapusan 6, Pingoy 5, Espeleta 4, Zaldivar 2, Mojica 0, Magbuhos 0, Bernardo 0, Colonia 0.
UE 72 – Pasaol 24, Manalang 19, Cullar 12, Bartolome 8, Gallardo 5, Varilla 4, Strait 0, Antiporda 0, Beltran 0, Conner 0, Gagate 0.
Quarterscores: 21-24; 40-40; 65-59; 85-72.