AURELIO Fransman delivered in the clutch, lifting Adamson University to its biggest win yet in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament, edging Ateneo de Manila University, 72-68, and snapping their three-game skid on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Fransman recorded 15 points, three steals, and two assists, powering the Baby Falcons to their second win in nine games with his timely heroics.
“Ang pinapa-emphasize ko sa practice, kaya naman natin manalo ‘eh, bakit hindi natin ibahin yung result. Kaya naman natin ‘eh, bakit kami hihinto diba? Kaya napansin niyo na different na kami lumabas nung second round kasi may adjustments sa defense,” said Baby Falcons head coach Alex Barrera.
Aurelio, the younger brother of Soaring Falcon AJ, broke a 59-all tie with back-to-back three-pointers, pushing Ateneo into a six-point hole, 65-59, with 4:49 left. Before his clutch triples, Fransman had struggled beyond the arc with just 1-of-8 shooting.
His heroics ignited a late surge for Adamson as Craig Fongtong’s basket and layups from Chrys Jomez and Edison Jordan stretched the lead to 71-64 with under two minutes remaining.
Ateneo fought back with quick baskets from YJ Lacsamana and Zane Kallos to cut the lead to three with 52.3 seconds left, but a critical turnover by Sky Jazul at the 24.3-second mark thwarted their hopes for a game-tying shot.
Although Fransman missed two crucial free throws, Prince Banate secured the offensive rebound and added a free throw, sealing the comeback win.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Prior to this, Adamson’s lone victory had come against the winless UPIS team in the first round.
The win also allowed Adamson to avenge its 73-79 first-round loss to Ateneo last September 21.
“I hope na sana magising na yung mga boys ko na kaya naman pala namin maglaro with a different look. Ang pinaka problem ko nung first round ay yung adjustment and yung rules, hindi nila kaya kunin agad. Ngayon, binigyan kami ng chance dahil sa mahaba na break, nainstill ko na paunti-unti,” added Barrera, a former Soaring Falcon.
Edison Jordan contributed a double-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and one assist, while Craig Fongtong chipped in nine points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.
Keefe Iledan added eight points, eight rebounds, one steal, and one block, and Gomez rounded out the effort with seven points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and one steal.
The Baby Falcons will have a two-week break to regroup and aim for their first winning streak of the season as they prepare to face the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws on Sunday, Nov. 10, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the loss sent Ateneo to its fourth defeat in five games, dimming their Final Four hopes as they fell to a 4-5 record, one game behind the fourth-running NU Bullpups.
Kallos’ 31-point, 11-rebound double-double went unrewarded in the loss, while Lacsamana came close to a double-double with nine points, 16 rebounds, two steals, and a block.
The Blue Eagles will a tall task in their next game against league-leading UE Red Warriors on November 9 also at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
ADU (72) – Fransman 15, E. Jordan 15, Fongtong 9, Iledan 8, Gomez 7, Azurias 7, Ondevilla 4, Banate 3, Timzon 2, Alcantara 2, A. Jordan 0.
Ateneo (68) – Kallos 31, Lacsamana 9, Molina 8, Juangco 8, Jazul 5, Ngo 5, Bernarte 2, Pineda 0, Meresen 0, Valte 0, Ramos 0, Divinagracia 0, Dela Rosa 0.
Quarterscores: 17-28, 35-47, 55-58, 72-68.
