Jerom Lastimosa was a man on a mission as he set the tone and inspired Adamson University to a lopsided 82-66 win over University of the East in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Tuesday afternoon, at the closed-door SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Lastimosa, who sunk 11 out of his 14 points in the first quarter, unleashed a three-point shot that gave Adamson a commanding 16-2 cushion halfway through the period and this was further compounded by center Lenda Douanga’s dunk and free throw as they ended the first quarter with a 32-12 separation.
“The good thing about it is that slowly the things we emphasized on, medyo na-co-correct at gumaganda,” commented Adamson head coach Nash Racela after the game. “Again, it’s a process. As long as we take the right steps towards the right direction, we’ll be good.”
Adamson continued to coast in the second quarter despite the best efforts of UE guard Harvey Pagsanjan, who scored eight points in the period, to keep the Red Warriors in the game.
Pagsanjan’s basket was able to cut the Soaring Falcons’ lead to 26-44, but the Soaring Falcons retaliated through Joshua Yerro’s five straight points as Adamson ended the half comfortably with a 50-32 advantage.
Didat Hanapi, who was benched in the first half due to disciplinary reasons, contributed four points after the break and gave Adamson its biggest lead in the contest, 76-40, courtesy of two free throws with 32.6 seconds left in the third period.
“The good thing about it is that slowly the things we emphasized on, medyo na-co-correct at gumaganda,” commented Adamson head coach Nash Racela after the game. “Again, it’s a process. As long as we take the right steps towards the right direction, we’ll be good.”
Lastimosa led the Soaring Falcons with 14 points, two rebounds, and two assists in 12:53 minutes of action. Keith Zaldivar followed his example with 11 points. Joem Sabandal had eight points and four assists while Lenda Douanga had eight points and eight rebounds.
Adamson converted 10-out-of-31 attempts from the three-point area compared to UE’s five-out-of-24. The Soaring Falcons also managed to seize 48 rebounds while the Red Warriors got less with 38.
Pagsanjan and Aurin Catacutan were UE’s bright lights after they contributed 17 points and eight rebounds and 12 points respectively. Abdul Sawat had five points and eight rebounds as well for the Red Warriors.
Both teams shall next play this Thursday at the SM MOA Arena. Adamson (1-1) takes on defending champions Ateneo de Manila University at 10:00 AM while UE (0-2) goes up against University of Santo Tomas at 7:00 PM.
The Scores:
AdU 82 – Lastimosa 14, Zaldivar 11, Calisay 8, Douanga 8, Sabandal 8, Jaymalin 7, Yerro 7, Manzano 7, Erolon 5, Hanapi 4, Magbuhos 2, Barasi 1, Colonio 0, Peromingan 0, Fuentebelle 0, Maata 0.
UE 66 – Pagsanjan 17, Catacutan 12, Paranada N. 7, Escamis 6, Sawat 5, Lorenzana 4, Abatayo 4, Tulabut 3, Antiporda 2, Beltran 2, Cruz 2, Villanueva 0, Chan 0, Paranada K. 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 32-12, 50-32, 76-42, 82-66.
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