After unleashing a devastating second half surge, the UE Warriors trampled the stumbling AdU Falcons, 99-72, at the Araneta Colesium.
Struggling to find their rhythm in the first half, the Warriors were able to flip the script thanks to their relentless full-court press, which produced 14 Falcon second half turnovers – 22 in total – and efficient offense which hummed to a 47 percent field goal rating with 21 of their 37 made shots coming off assists. The UE bench also outscored the Falcon Bench, 41-24.
The Warriors spread the wealth on offense as nine of their players scored six points or more led by Pedrito Galnza’s and Roi Sumang’s 16 and 15 markers, apiece, respectively.
Warrior Center, Mustapha Arafat, saved UE from a potential disaster as he came in the third quarter with the Warriors only up six for foul-ridden and fellow African, Charles Mammie, and seemed to out-hustle the entire Falcon squad. Although he only notched six points and nine rebounds, Arafat’s presence defensively keyed several Warrior runs in the third quarter highlighted by three of his devastating blocks.
Adamson was able to keep it close in the first half as they used a half court trap to force UE into nine first half turnovers but their young guards just could not crack the Pumaren full-court press. Adamson’s Point Guards accounted for 11 of the team’s 22 turnovers.
The blowout, however, gave the Falcons some sort of silver lining as they got a breakout performance from rookie and former Baby Falcon, Point Guard William Polican who led them in scoring with 16 points on five for eight shooting. Former Letran Squire, Jansen Rios turned in an all-around performance, scoring 13 points, snatching 13 boards and dishing out three assists.
