Adamson leans on fast start to upend UE

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — Adamson University thwarted a late University of the East comeback to prevail, 78-71, in the 76th UAAP men’s basketball tournament Wednesday, July 10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After leading by as much as 30 points early in the 3rd, the Soaring Falcons had to survive a big turnaround in the final canto, when Roi Sumang sparked a huge surge that just lacked more time to get done.

“Bigla kaming nag-collapse but I’m happy we survived,” a relieved Adamson coach Leo Austria said. “Sumang is the number one point guard in the UAAP.”

Sumang proved what the opposing coach Austria believed in, pouring 12 of his 26 points in the 4th period. But his heroics weren’t enough this time, as the Falcons held on to score their second win in 3 games.

Scorching from downtown

Behind the hot shooting of wingman Roider Cabrera, Adamson zoomed to a 50-25 halftime lead as Cabrera fired 5 three-pointers en route to 19 points in just 12 first-half minutes.

The lead swelled to as big as 55-35 after an Ingrid Sewa basket with 7:34 left in the period, but the Falcons began to cool from there, as the Warriors gradually chipped at the lead. 

With Sumang firing on all cylinders, UE began the final frame with a 14-6 run to come close to 73-59 and put the Warriors back into contention.

However, even after preventing Adamson from scoring in the last 5 minutes, UE ran out of time to drop to their second defeat in 3 outings.

Lord of the boards

The Falcons ruled the rebounding battle once more, grabbing 52 boards to the Warriors’ 37, with Ingrid Sewa and Rodney Brondial hauling down 11 rebounds apiece.

Cabrera cooled down in the second half, but Sewa and Jericho Cruz added 15 and 10 points, respectively.

“Nag-stick lang kami sa sinabi ni coach,” Cabrera, who made 5 of his first 8 attempts from rainbow territory but missed his last 7 shots, said. 

Sumang ended up with 26 points and two steals, Lordy Casajeros chipped in with 14 markers and Charles Mammie had 9 points and 14 boards for UE, who dropped to 1-2. – Rappler.com