Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) — The Adamson University Soaring Falcons halted the eight-game winning streak of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 66-58, in UAAP Season 84 on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Falcons star guard Jerom Lastimosa led the San Marcelino-based dribblers in their third straight win with 13 points, highlighted by his dagger triple in the last 23.3 seconds of the game that put them ahead in a two-possession lead at 62-57.
The victory forced a three-way tie in the fourth place of the team standings with Adamson, Far Eastern University, and National University having an identical 4-6 record.
Ahmad Hanapi broke out for Adamson in the first half – scoring 10 of his total 12 points – as their offensive stand gave them the lead that skyrocketed to 17 points off a sloppy UP side.
The Maroons were awaken in the second half with Ricci Rivero and Carl Tamayo leading the charge to trim their deficit to three, 44-47, after the third quarter.
In the final period, the Falcons successfully protected their slim lead by benefiting from back-and-forth turnovers and low percentage shot selection of the Maroons.
Rivero converted his two free-throws in the last 36.8 seconds as UP trailed only by two points, 57-59.
The next possession saw Lastimosa draining his dagger trey from the right side of the key, which assured the victory for Adamson and weathered a comeback from UP.
Rivero finished with 14 points and five rebounds while Tamayo added 12 markers and eight rebounds in a struggling outing for the Maroons, who are still in the second spot with an 8-2 record.
Adamson looks to score their fourth straight win against University of Santo Tomas on Saturday at 10 a.m., while UP seeks to bounce back against De La Salle University at 4:30 p.m.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 66 — Lastimosa 13, Hanapi 12, Sabandal 11, Manzano 8, Zaldivar 8, Magbuhos 6, Peromingan 5, Colonia 2, Yerro 1, Douanga 0, Jaymalin 0, Erolon 0, Barasi 0.
UP 58 — Rivero 14, Tamayo 12, Diouf 7, Lucero 7, Cagulangan 6, Cansino 5, Spencer 4, Webb 3, Alarcon 0, Abadiano 0, Fortea 0.
Quarterscores: 20-12, 36-28, 47-44, 66-58.
