Adamson University continued to have the number of the University of Santo Tomas, taking a dominant 85-57 win in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Soaring Falcons collected their third straight win against the Growling Tigers after sweeping their elimination-round head-to-head meetings last season, taking 69-59 and 97-96 victories.
Adamson joined the party atop the standings at 2-1, alongside four other teams, while pushing UST down to solo sixth at 2-2.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“The players did their part. We gave them a game plan, and they followed it accordingly. I think that’s the only way we could have a chance in the UAAP — if we really follow it and defend those other teams. Because if we don’t do our part defensively, any given day they will all score 90, 100,” said Soaring Falcons head coach Nash Racela.
Adamson controlled the pace from the get-go, preventing UST from gaining any momentum as its three-point shooting also failed to click throughout the game. The Growling Tigers shot a woeful 2-for-24 from beyond the arc, while the Soaring Falcons converted 11 of their 33 attempts.
Adamson also wreaked havoc on the defensive end, forcing UST into 20 turnovers that it converted into 21 points.
Mathew Montebon bounced back from a dismal four-point outing against Ateneo de Manila University in their previous game. The fourth-year guard finished with 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals in 23 minutes and 19 seconds.
Matty Erolon also came through with 17 points, while Earl Medina broke out with 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting from deep.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Nigerian big man Collins Akowe paced the Growling Tigers in the loss with 19 points and 15 rebounds, but he finished with a team-worst minus-25 in his 34 minutes and 38 seconds on the floor.
Amiel Acido added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Mark Llemit was limited to just two points on 1-for-6 shooting after exploding for 22 points in UST’s win over University of the East last Wednesday.
Adamson will look to continue its winning ways on Wednesday when it faces another top team in National University at 2:30 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. UST, meanwhile, will also take on NU next Saturday at 3:00 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
AdU 85 — Montebon 21, Erolon 17, Medina 11, Tumaneng 6, Torres 5, Jonah 5, Fransman 4, Anabo 4, Edding 3, Mangaron 3, Demisana 3, Perez 3, Cruz-Dumont 0, Cañete 0, Pacquiao 0.
UST 57 — Akowe 19, Acido 11, Buenaflor 9, Sevilla 5, Jumawan 4, Danting 3, Alao 2, Llemit 2, Esteban 2, Porter 0, Chio 0, Bucsit 0, Manding 0, Cañete 0.
Quarterscores: 19-12, 36-23, 54-39, 85-57.
