After a late-game blunder in Adamson’s loss against the San Beda College Red Lions, sophomore JD Tungcab bounced back big time in the clutch for the San Marcelino cagers.
Tungcab scored five of Adamson’s last six points in the clutch to give the Adamson University Soaring Falcons the eighth and final spot in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Filoil Flying V Premier Cup after an 84-82 win over the University of the East Red Warriors Sunday afternoon.
“I know what JD is capable of doing,” Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren said about Tungcab’s 12-for-16 performance from the foul stripe for 16 points. “He is starting to get a feel of what we are doing.”
The entire was close with both teams exchanging leads in the final frame. With the game tied at 70-all with 4:03 remaining, Charcos was able to find Ralph Penuela for a triple but was answered right back by incoming rookie Robbie Manalang. After a miss by Ahanmisi, Charcos was able to go coast-to-coast for a wide-open layup to give the Red Warriors a 75-73 lead with 2:31 left.
Ahanmisi was able to make up for his misses in finding Manalang once again for a wide-open three to regain the lead for Adamson. The Soaring Falcons though were not able to secure a rebound off of UE misses that led to a split from the stripe for Batiller that tied the game once more.
“This is good for us. We are gaining experience,” the younger Pumaren added. “I’ve always said that we are not in game shape yet. This is a good game for us. “
“In a way, we committed a lot of lapses down the stretch but I gave them a little leeway and they performed.”
Misses by Edgar Charcos and Batiller led to four free throws for Tungcab that gave Adamson an 82-77 lead with 21.2 seconds remaining. After a Derrick Pumaren timeout, Pasaol was able to score on a quick layup with 12.4 ticks remaining. A split by Tungcab in the next possession led to a Batiller find to a wide-open Pasaol triple with 7.2 seconds remaining to cut the lead to just a solitary point, 83-82.
Rookie Ahanmisi was fouled by Charcos but jitters got the best of the Filipino-American in splitting his freebies with five seconds remaining. Batiller ran through the court and threw a hail Mary three that almost went in.
Robbie Manalang led Adamson with 21 points, 18 of which came from distance. Papi Sarr added a double-double with 17 points and 18 rebounds.
For Derrick Pumaren and the Red Warriors, five players scored in double-figures with Pasaol leading the way with 17 points in just 14 minutes of game time. Charcos added 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Coach Franz though downplayed the rivalry pitting him and his older brother in saying, “Wala naman. This is just an appetizer for the UAAP. This is like poker, we are still hiding our cards.”
With the win, the Adamson Soaring Falcons will advance to the quarterfinals on Tuesday, June 7. The San Marcelino cagers will face National University. UE will end their Premier Cup campaign with a 3-4 slate.
The Scores:
AdU (84) – Manalang 21, Sarr 17, Tungcab 16, Ahanmisi 10, Paranada 7, Ochea 6, Manganti 5, Pasturan 2, Ng 0, Bernardo 0, Camacho 0, Espeleta 0
UE (82) – Pasaol 17, Charcos 16, Penuela 13, Batiller 12, Palma 10, Acuno 4, Varilla 3, Gagate 2, Olayon 2, Armenion 2, Manalang 1, De Leon 0, Abanto 0, Larupay 0
Quarterscores: 22-16, 44-35, 63-60, 84-82
