Adamson no longer winless after surviving UP rally

MANILA, Philippines – It took until the conclusion of the first round of eliminations, but the Adamson Soaring Falcons finally attained a win in the UAAP Season 78 senior’s basketball tournament.

After losing a 19-point lead at the half, Adamson managed to recuperate down the stretch of the fourth period to hold off the pesky University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 73-68, on Sunday, October 4, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jerome Garcia led the winning side with a career-high 26 points and 5 3-pointers, while Joseph Nalos had another impressive outing with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Frederick Tungcab registered 13 points, while Pape Sarr put up 8 points and 15 rebounds.

“Give credit to the boys. They deserve it. They worked hard for it,” said Adamson rookie head coach Mike Fermin.

“I just told them, let’s end the first round with a win. They did it. Hats off to them.”

Fermin, who has 11 rookies in his roster, was also very complimentary of his top-scorer, who he says was bound for this kind of performance.

“Give credit to him. Pinush namin siya sa limit niya (we pushed him to his limit), and he responded naman. I just told the guys let’s back up Jerome because he’s bound to have a good game.”

For a brief moment, it looked like the Soaring Falcons would end the first round in disappointment after losing their double-digit lead.

UP went on a 15-2 run in the first half of the fourth quarter, capped off by a layup from Cheick Kone to tie the game at 59-all with 6:10 to go.

Sarr responded with two free throws, but UP’s top scorer, Dave Moralde hit a 3-ball that gave the Maroons a one-point lead.

Adamson, however, was able to respond right away thanks to a Nalos layup, which was followed by two more charities by Sarr.

Both teams went back and forth until a Tungcab layup put his team up 70-66 with 1:52 left in the game. He and Garcia then took turns making a free throw each, giving their team a 6-point edge.

Desiderio hit a big layup to trim the deficit to 4, but Tungcab was able to hit another free throw to put the game away.

Desiderio led the Fighting Maroons with 26 points and 6 rebounds. No other UP player scored in double-figures, with Piero Longa being the second leading scorer after registering 9 points. 

UP forward Jerson Prado was stretchered out of the game in the second quarter after suffering an apparent knee injury following an awkward landing on a rebound attempt.

The Soaring Falcons shot 34% from the field and hit 9 3-pointers. UP shot 37% but went just 5-of-29 from deep.

The disparity at the foul line was also evident, with Adamson going 20-of-33 while UP converted 7-of-14. Both teams combined for 41 turnovers.

Technical fouls were given to both Fermin and UP head coach Rensy Bajar in the second half.

“For me, human reaction. For me, I didn’t talk, I didn’t shout. Gestures lang naman (it was just gestures),” Fermin said.

Adamson finishes their first round campaign with a 1-6 record, while UP – losers of 5 straight games – currently stands at 2-5. 

Scores:

ADU (73): Garcia 28, Nalos 15, Tungcab 13, Sarr 8, Polican 5, Ochea 4, Margallo 2, Ng 0, Garcia 0, Villanueva 0, Camacho 0

UP (68): Desiderio 26, Longa 9, Jaboneta 7, Dario 6, Kone 4, Amar 4, Prado 4, Moralde 3, Vito 3, Asilum 2, Harris 0, Lim 0, Manuel 0, Juruena 0

Quarter scores: 21-14, 47-28, 57-46, 73-68 – Rappler.com