MANILA, Philippines – The Adamson Soaring Falcons emerged victorious against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 73-71, on Wednesday, October 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The tight match saw the Fighting Maroons and Soaring Falcons fight tooth-and-nail for the win, as the game had a total of 8 lead changes that escalated in the fourth quarter.

The game closed out with both teams trading leads until Paul Desiderio tied the game with a jumper at 71-all, with 22 seconds left in the game. But Sean Manganti’s bucket at the last second of the game then sealed the victory for Adamson.

The Fighting Maroons had a 12-2 start in the game before Robbie Manalang stopped the bleeding with a triple. The Soaring Falcons then countered with a 14-6 run early in the second period that forced UP to call a timeout with 7:30 left in the first half.

After the last two minute-mark hit, Jerrick Ahanmisi drained a go-ahead triple that saw Adamson take the lead for the first time. However, Lorenzo Battad answered back with his own go-ahead bucket – his first shot in the UAAP – before the second quarter buzzer sounded. 

At the half, Ahanmisi already topscored with 17 points as he led the Soaring Falcons to rally back from their first quarter deficit. 

Jerie Pingoy and Kurt Lojera led the Soaring Falcons to end the third period in their favor as Pingoy made a solo 5-2 run, while Lojera made both charities before heading into the tightly-contested fourth quarter. 

Ahanmisi led Adamson with 21 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Pingoy then followed with 10 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists.

On the other hand, UP duo Desiderio and Manzo topscored for the Fighting Maroons with 19 points apiece. 

This win gives the Soaring Falcons a 4-2 record, while the Fighting Maroons fell to 3-3. 

Scores

AdU (73) – Ahanmisi 21, Pingoy 10, Manalang 8, Manganti 8, Sarr 6, Lojera 5, Ochea 5, Hill 4, Espeleta 4, Bernardo 2, Mustre 0, Zaldivar 0.

UP (71) – Desiderio 19, Manzo 19, Gomez de Liano Ja 8, Ouattara 8, Lao 4, Dario 3, Gomez de Liano Ju 3, Prado 3, Lim 2, Battad 2, Vito 0.

Quarter scores: 16-25, 43-44, 57-54, 73-71

– Rappler.com