Metro Manila, Philippines — The Adamson University Soaring Falcons survived the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 71-64, in Round 1 of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Soaring Falcons squandered a 22-point halftime lead after scoring just three points in the third quarter but recovered in the final frame to improve its record to 3-2.
Meanwhile, the Red Warriors extended their losing streak to 26 games, dropping to 0-5 and remaining at the bottom of the standings.
Ray Allen Torres provided a spark off the bench to lead Adamson with 17 points, while Nigerian big man Precious Jonah added 14. Matt Erolon and Earl Medina chipped in 23 points combined in the victory.
Erolon came off the bench and made his minutes count, scoring back-to-back baskets to help the Soaring Falcons pull away in the opening quarter, 24-14.
Erolon, Monty Montebon, and Torres then began firing on all cylinders to stretch Adamson’s lead to 22 points before halftime, 54-32, as UE continued to struggle offensively.
The Red Warriors found their rhythm in the third quarter and came alive on both ends of the court, with sophomore Toper Lagat and Drew Jimenez sparking a massive 17-3 run to cut the deficit to eight points, 57-49. Meanwhile, Adamson managed just one field goal after its dominant first-half performance.
The San Marcelino-based squad regained its composure in the final quarter, with Jonah leading the charge as UE’s late rally ultimately fell short.
Lagat once again paced the Recto-based squad with 22 points, while team captain DJ Robles chipped in 12 in the losing effort.
Adamson will face a tougher challenge when it takes on last season’s finalists, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, UE will continue its search for its first win when it faces UP on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
The scores:
Adamson (71) — Torres 17, Jonah 14, Erolon 12, Medina 11, Montebon 10, Anabo 6, Cañete 1, Edding 0, Mangaron 0, Pacquiao 0, Tumaneng 0, Demisina 0, Perez 0, Cruz-Dumont 0
UE (64) — Lagat 22, Robles 12, Jimenez 6, Edoukou 5, Tañedo 4, Vazquez 4, Cruz-Dumont 4, Dungca 3, Sabroso 2, Javier 2, Carillo 0, Santos 0
Quarterscores: 24-14, 54-32, 57-49, 71-62.
