Heading into the final weekend of the elimination round, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons were already assured of the third-seed in the Final Four spots. Thus, it made their game against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws a no-bearing contest.
Still, the Soaring Falcons were seeking a win as a good springboard entering the top four. Unfortunately for them, FEU came out as the victors, 71-54. Adding salt to their wounds, some players were hurt in the process.
During the first half, Jerrick Ahanmisi twisted his ankle and entered the dugout to have it checked before the end of the first half. His status is still uncertain as of posting.
“He twisted his ankle. That’s bad news for us. We have to find out from probably later tonight, we’ll bring him to the hospital,” disclosed second-year Soaring Falcons head coach Franz Pumaren. Ahanmisi, a sophomore guard, is averaging 12.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.
Later on in the contest, point guard Jerie Pingoy suffered a bad landing in a battle for the rebound and twisted his left ankle with 5:22 left in the contest. The transferee was unable to walk on his own after that and had to be carried by teammates.
“It’s the same thing [as Ahanmisi],” added Pumaren.
Pingoy is posting norms of 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.
Despite two of his most important cogs figuring in freak injuries, Pumaren shares that he has no regrets with his team going hard for this game.
“There’s no such thing as no-bearing for me, that’s what I’ve been instilling with the players,” the stern mentor said, “but we have to give credit to FEU. They really played well and it blew us off — my usual rotation with the injury of Jerrick and Jerie.”
