Adamson University-ARQ Builders escaped with a heart-pounding 86-84 overtime win against University of Santo Tomas-Weng Burs Apartelle to capture the 2025 Mayor Kirk Asis Open Invitational Tournament crown on Sunday evening at the Lope Asis Gymnasium in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.
The Soaring Falcons dug deep in the extra period to successfully defend their title for backer ARQ Builders.
“Nagpapasalamat kami kina Mayor Kim Asis at sa buong Asis family sa walang sawang suporta at sa pagho-host ng ganitong klaseng torneo,” said Adamson assistant coach Ryan Betia.
“Salamat din kay Coach Van Force at sa buong organizing team, at higit sa lahat kay Boss Jason Arquisola at ARQ Builders sa patuloy na tiwala at suporta sa Adamson.”
Adamson opened overtime with a 9-3 run, ignited by a clutch triple from Matty Erolon and capped by two pressure-packed free throws from Mathew Montebon with 66 seconds left to extend their lead to 86-79.
UST, however, refused to go away.
Forthsky Padrigao drained a triple, and Mark Llemit calmly sank two free throws to cut the deficit to two.
With 3.8 seconds left on the clock, Adamson nearly unraveled after Ray Allen Torres committed a costly turnover, giving UST one final opportunity. But the Soaring Falcons’ graduating big man Ced Manzano came to the rescue, blocking Nic Cabanero’s potential game-tying attempt to preserve the win.
Erolon, who was named tournament MVP, finished with 15 points in the title-clinching win.
Manzano delivered an all-around performance with 18 points, two rebounds, and two blocks.
Montebon also came through with 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Emman Anabo added 12 points and five assists, while OJ Ojarikre grabbed 11 rebounds for the Falcons.
UST, the top seed entering the finals with a 3-1 record, forced overtime after Peter Osang coolly sank two free throws with 22.7 seconds left in regulation.
Padrigao led the Growling Tigers with 18 points, while Kyle Paranada provided a spark off the bench with 14.
Osang contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.
Gelo Crisostomo chipped in 10 points, five rebounds, and four steals before fouling out in overtime.
Cabanero, however, was held to just seven points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Adamson, Far Eastern University-MAIR Construction and General Merchandise, and Jose Rizal University-Vincare Pharma all ended the preliminaries with identical 2-2 records. But it was the Soaring Falcons who advanced to the final by virtue of a superior quotient.
FEU claimed third place after outlasting JRU in another overtime thriller, 84-82.
Jorick Bautista led the Tamaraws with 24 points — 11 of which came from the free throw line despite shooting just 5-of-24 from the field.
Mo Konateh had a monster outing of 16 points, 23 rebounds, and four blocks, while McKirby Moncopa added 14 points and 11 boards.
Adamson took home the P300,000 championship prize, while UST earned P200,000 as runner-up.
FEU pocketed P150,000 for third place, while JRU and Letran–Bustamante Construction received P100,000 and P75,000, respectively.
All participating teams will now return to Manila to resume their campaigns in the ongoing 18th Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
