Despite still not having its court general Jerom Lastimosa, Adamson University stands at joint-third with De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Soaring Falcons squandered a double-digit lead in the third quarter against University of the East but remained composed, eking out a 72-65 win on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
With the win, Adamson improved to 3-2, tied with the Green Archers, who earlier lost to National University in overtime, 80-77.
“I always say they don’t really have a choice but to step forward,” said head coach Nash Racela on the other Soaring Falcons stepping up in lieu of Lastimosa.
“There’s the window for them, an opportunity to take. Yun lang naman yung ginagawa nila. Sa end namin, we’re just trying to help them develop and help the team get a bigger chance of winning.”
I
t has been a collective effort for Adamson, getting significant contributions from Cedrick Manzano, Joem Sabandal, Joshua Yerro, Matt Erolon, and Matthew Montebon among others.
All three of the Soaring Falcons wins came down to the wire and they were able to find ways to end up on top after the final buzzer.
Adamson fended off University of Santo Tomas in overtime, 79-76, while Vince Magbuhos drained the game-winning buzzer beater on his birthday against Ateneo de Manila University in extra period as well, 74-71.
According to Racela, these close games should be beneficial to his Soaring Falcons.
“It helps a lot because number one, itong mga players namin they lack games. Number two, the experience in games will help them mature faster all the more sa close game,” said Racela.
“Maganda kasi I think it develops grit. We welcome mga games na ganito.”
Adamson will look to continue its winning ways on Wednesday, facing a Bulldogs side which is on a two-game winning run.
Racela also bared in the postgame interview that Lastimosa might start practicing with the team starting next week.
“I think by next week he’ll join us probably in practice. That’s the calendar that he has. We’ll see.”
