With Mapua missing the services of reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player Allwell Oraeme, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons took advantage of their size in the late game as they escape the Cardinals, 85-81, to extend their winning streak to three games Saturday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Papi Sarr led the Falcons with 27 points and 16 boards. He was 8-for-11 from the field and 11-for-14 from the stripe. Harold Ng added 13 points.
“I guess we just had to maximize the advantage that we have,” Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren said. “This is also a testament that we have a lot of hardwork and adjusting to do.”
The Cardinals did not seem to miss Oraeme in the first half of the game as Mapua was able to surge ahead 43-40. CJ Isit had ten points in the first half while Exe Biteng and Andrew Estrella scored seven markers each to lead the Cardinals. On the other end, Robbie Manalang paced Adamson with seven first half points. However, Mapua was able to limit Sarr to just six points and four rebounds even without their ace center.
After the halftime break, the Soaring Falcons gained their touch from three-point country in a 14-2 spurt that gave them their first lead of the game. A triple by Nic Pamarada tied the game at 45-all but was answered right back by an Isit lay-in. The momentum though was on the side of the Falcons as three straight triples by James Pasturan, Manalang, and Harold Ng gave Adamson a 54-47 lead.
With Mapua holding a 74-68 lead, the Cardinals went to the stripe a total of six times and converting on five to cut the lead to just a solitary point with 5:39 remaining. The two teams then exchanged baskets to keep the game tied at 81-all with 44.1 seconds remaining.
Ng was able to find Sarr underneath for a lay-up to give Adamson an 83-81 lead with 33.9 remaining. After a timeout by coach Atoy Co, Andrew Estrella missed a floater while free throws by Sarr with 11.1 seconds remaining sealed the game for the Falcons.
Papi Sarr made the crucial plays down the stretch
“Like what I mentioned last time around, we are really in that not great of shape right now,” Pumaren said about his team. “We are just 60 to 70 percent. We just have to play smarter.”
He then cited Ng, who made crucial turnovers late in the game, as an example. “I have to sit him down. Medyo umabuso ng konte e. He threw a feeling Stephen Curry shot and then drove like Russell Westbrook. It was terrible decisions. But this game was a good test for him,” Pumaren said.
Isit led the Cardinals with 19 points. Andrew Estrella had an excellent all-around game as well with 13 points, six rebounds, eights assists, and three blocks. However, the Cardinals went to the charity stripe just 13 times, converting on ten, compared to 29 by Adamson, converting on 21.
The Adamson Soaring Falcons (B, 3-2) look to extend their win streak to four games as they face the San Beda Red Lions on Thursday, June 2 at 1:30pm. The Mapua Cardinals (B, 1-3) will have Oraeme back in their game against the Red Lions on Thursday, May 26 at 3:15pm.
The Scores:
AdU (85) – Sarr 27, Ng 13, Manalang 9, Pasturan 9, Paranada 8, Ahanmisi 5, Tungcab 4, Camacho 4, Ochea 3, Manganti 2, Bernardo 1, Mustre 0.
MIT (81) – Isit 19, Estrella 13, Orquina 11, Biteng 10, Gamboa 9, Magboo 7, Bunag 4, Raflores 4, Victoria 2, Serrano 2, Aguirre 0.
Quarterscores: 12-19, 40-43, 67-65, 85-81.
