By MARK REY MONTEJO
Adamson banked on its scoring outbursts right in the first half and went on to beat University of the East, 77-62, to snap a three-game slide in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the newly-refurbished Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City on Saturday, Oct. 11.
After racing to a comfortable 45-22 lead – off an AJ Fransman triple – heading into the break, the Falcons suddenly went disarray, squandering their huge lead and momentarily trailed the Warriors, 57-58. following a Kristoper Lagat fastbreak lay-up.
Sensing trouble, the Falcons regrouped and countered it with a telling 12-1 spurt, to restore order and improve to 2-4.
UE, owner of 18 titles – the last in 1985 – absorbed its fifth straight loss.
Ray Allen Torres impressed once again for Adamson after scattering 16 points apart from posting three rebounds and three assists, while Earl Medina added 15. Cedrick Manzano, for his part, had a quiet eight points.
“Siguro wala namang nag-click nag-stay composed lang kami sa system namin. Hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy na’ to,” said Torres.
“Yon naka-excute kami, we’re just playing our game… feels good, ngayon naglaro kami para manalo ‘yong team, nagtiwala si coach [Nash] sakin, kaya ginampanan kolang ‘yong tiwala nya,” he added.
John Abate produced another splendid outing for UE with 17 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, while Darryl Robles chipped in 14. Sadly, their efforts went down the drain.
Adamson tries to go two in a row next Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where it tangles with University of Santo Tomas.
UE, meanwhile, hopes to capture its first win this year against last year’s bridesmaid De La Salle University on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Mall of Asia Arena.
The scores:
AdU 77 – Torres 16, Medina 15, Manzano 9, Anabo 7, A. Ronzone 7, Fransman 6, Erolon 4, Ojarikre 4, Cañete 3, Tumaneng 3, Perez 2, C. Ronzone 1, Montebon 0, Jaymalin 0, Demisana 0, Barcelona 0.
UE 62 – Abate 17, Robles 14, Lingolingo 9, Lagat 8, Momowei 7, Malaga 5, Mulingtapang 2, Tañedo 0, Jimenez 0, Caoile 0, Despi 0, Cruz-Dumont 0.
Quarters: 29-15, 45-25, 57-58, 77-62.
