Joem Sabandal played the hero role as Adamson University escaped Adama Faye-less University of Santo Tomas in overtime, 79-76, in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Wednesday.
Scoreless for the first 39 minutes and 54 seconds of the game, Sabandal made a turnaround jumper with 5.2 seconds left in the fourth frame for a momentary 68-66 lead before Nic Cabañero sent it to overtime.
Sabandal then punched in seven points in the Soaring Falcons’ 9-2 start in extra period for a 77-70 advantage with 1:10 remaining.
“Good thing na nangyari sa fourth quarter at sa overtime was nagtulungan kami as a team. Doon makikita yung mga attitude namin kapag dikdikan na,” said Sabandal.
Cabañero, however, made two triples – an off-the-bank and a pull-up, to pull the Growling Tigers within one with 29.8 seconds left, 76-77.
Adamson’s Matthew Montebon was fouled with 29 seconds left and split his charities, leaving a door open for UST, 78-76.
But Christian Manaytay missed his shot on the other end that forced the Growling Tigers to foul Cedrick Manzano with 2.7 ticks to go.
He split his free throws that gave UST one last shot but Migs Pangilinan’s bail-out three rimmed out as time expired.
“It was all them. Before overtime, I just told them that if we weren’t able to get that in the first 40 minutes, we have another chance,” said Adamson Head Coach Nash Racela. “Very hard-earned win. Credit goes to UST and Coach Pido’s coaching staff. They really made it hard for us today even without their foreign student-athlete.”
The Soaring Falcons gained their first win to improve to 1-1 while the Growling Tigers suffered their 15th straight loss to drop to 0-2 this season.
Manzano had a team-high 16 points and seven rebounds, while Matt Erolon added 11 points in 13 minutes and six seconds of floor time.
Sabandal ended with nine points, six assists, and four rebounds.
Adamson looks to build on this victory when it clashes with Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday’s quadruple-header at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Pangilinan led the Growling Tigers with 18 points built on four triples while Cabañero had 17 points. Big men Angelo Crisostomo and Echo Laure also chipped in 10 and eight points, respectively.
Meanwhile, UST will look for win no. 1 against De La Salle University.
The Scores:
Adamson 79 – Manzano 16, Erolon 11, Sabandal 9, Magbuhos 7, Hanapi 7, Montebon 7, Calisay 6, Yerro 5, Barasi 3, Ojarikre 3, Barcelona 2, Canete 2, Ramos 1, Colonia 0.
UST 76 – Pangilinan 18, Cabañero 17, Crisostomo 10, Laure 8, Manaytay 7, Ventulan 6, Manalang 4, Gesalem 3, Lazarte 2, Duremdes 1, Llemit 0, Calum 0.
Quarterscores: 20-13, 40-36, 52-51, 68-68, 79-76.
