Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) – Rookie Matty Erolon sank the game-winning triple with three seconds left in the game as the Adamson University Soaring Falcons survived the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 64-63, in UAAP Season 84 on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Tamaraws held a short 63-61 lead in the last 20 seconds of the contest with LJ Gonzales splitting his free-throws.
Off a timeout by head coach Nash Racela, the Falcons drew a play as the driving Jerom Lastimosa passed the ball to an open Erolon in the right corner to nail the game winner and end the five-game losing slump for the San Marcelino-based dribblers.
“Matt is really capable of making that shot, that’s why we put him on that spot to be able to have a good look,” Racela said.
The Tamaraws failed to execute an offensive play in the remaining time as Falcons big man Cedrick Manzano made a defensive stop by tapping the ball in an inbound pass directed to Emman Ojuola.
It was a bitter sweet victory for Adamson, which led by 14 points in the first half, as they successfully held off a determined FEU side.
The Falcons win was also a bounce back from their first round loss to the Tamaraws, which also went down the wire with RJ Abarrientos delivering the game-winning triple.
Lastimosa led Adamson in scoring with 17 points and eight rebounds while Manzano added 14 markers to finally return to the win column with a 2-6 slate.
FEU – which fell to a 3-5 record – was spearheaded by Gonzales with 20 points and Abarrientos chipping in 15 markers.
Adamson seeks to establish a winning streak in their next game against National University on April 19 at 7 p.m., while FEU looks to return to their winning ways against University of the Philippines on the same day at 10 a.m.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 64 – Lastimosa 17, Manzano 14, Peromingan 9, Zaldivar 6, Sabandal 5, Erolon 5, Yerro 2, Barasi 2, Hanapi 2, Colonia 2, Magbuhos 0, Maata 0.
FEU 63 – Gonzales 20, Abarrientos 15, Ojuola 13, Torres 8, Tempra 5, Bienes 2, Alforque 0, Sleat 0, Sajonia 0, Celzo 0, Sandagon 0.
Quarterscores: 21-12, 38-34, 50-50, 64-63.
