Fresh off its triumph in the Kadayawan 2022 Invitational Basketball Tournament, Adamson University carried the momentum in the 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup, blasting Lycum of the Philippines University, 83-71, to advance to the semifinals, Tuesday in San Juan City.
The Soaring Falcons were coming off a sweep of the annual tournament in Davao that saw them beat the likes of Lungsod ng Davao; the Davao Occidental Tigers; and Far Eastern University last weekend.
This time around, Adamson wasted no time in beating Lyceum, using a third-quarter surge.
Up 32-25 entering the second half, the Soaring Falcons went on a 30-point third quarter to gain a 20-point advantage.
The Soaring Falcons saw their lead balloon to its biggest, 60-35, off a Joshua Yerro three-point jumper with 1:51 left in the third quarter
Yerro, who was stepping up in lieu of Kadayawan MVP Jerom Lastimosa, fired 11 of his 15 points in the third canto. He knocked down three treys to help his side erect a 20-point cushion, 62-42, entering the final frame.
With 3:00 left in the game, 76-59, Lyceum’s Shawn Umali, Mclaude Guadaña, and John Barba went on an 11-3 run to cut the deficit by 11, 79-68. However, that was the nearest they could get.
“I think it’s no secret no na that’s something that we were looking for our team, na every time na si Jerom is out, then how do your guys put in stability? Actually, it’s a struggle, ‘no? But slowly, other guys are learning that,” said Adamson head coach Nash Racela.
Cedrick Manzano supplied 15 points and seven boards for leading the Falcons. Meanwhile, Rey Allen Torres and Lenda Douanga both added 11 markers. The former had three boards and two assists, while the latter contributed five boards and an assist.
Barba led the Pirates with 19 points, three rebounds, and an assist. Guadaña added 16 markers on 62-percent shooting, four boards and a dime.
The Soaring Falcons will await the winner of the National University-San Sebastian clash in the final four. The game takes place on Thursday.
The Scores:
Adamson 83 – Yerro 15, Manzano 15, Torres 11, Douanga 11, Sabandal 9, Hanapi 7, Magbuhos V 5, Flowers 4, Jaymalin 3, Fuentebella 2, Barasi 1, Colonia 0, Erolon 0, Magbuhos W 0, Calisay 0
Lyceum 71 – Barba 19, Guadana 16, Umali 9, Navarro 9, Venoya 7, Cunanan 6, Aviles 4, Penafiel 3, Bravo 0, Culanay 0, Omandac 0
Quarterscores: 22-16, 32-25, 62-42, 83-71
—
The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
