After a disappointing 65-85 loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles on opening day, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons put on a show against error-prone University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers to bounce back, 88-81, Saturday evening at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
And Adamson’s defense was tenacious all throughout, as the Soaring Falcons were able to force UST to commit a 14-year high 41 turnovers. This led to 31 turnover points.
Still, the Soaring Falcons were not able to take full advantage of this, which disappointed second-year head coach Franz Pumaren.
“Actually, we’re still struggling. We made a lot of mistakes down the stretch. Give credit to UST for playing hard,” shared Pumaren.
Robbie Manalang, who had been limited to just five points against Ateneo, led Adamson’s charge with 19 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
“I challenged him and he accepted the responsibility,” remarked Pumaren about Manalang, who is playing in his final year.
Kurt Loreja added 16 points and two steals while Sean Manganti finished with 11 points and three steals. Papi Sarr also returned after missing the first game due to a groin injury, tallying 10 markers.
“I’m a fierce critic of my team. He is a bit rusty after missing the last two weeks. Since summer, we have not played with a complete team,” Pumaren shared. “Papi is still not a hundred percent.”
Still, Adamson led by as high as 16 points in the final frame, 83-67, with 4:42 left. Behind Jeepy Faundo, who scored nine of his game-high 21 points in the final frame, UST were able to finish the game with a respectable score line.
Faundo grabbed 12 rebounds as well.
However, skipper Marvin Lee committed a horrid nine turnovers in the game and was limited to just 5-for-12 from the field for 14 markers. Prized foreign student-athlete Steve Akomo had seven errors as well.
Adamson will have a tough third assignment as they take on the De La Salle University Green Archers on Wednesday, September 20 at 4:00pm. UST, on the other hand, face the National University Bulldogs earlier in the day at 2:00pm.
The Scores:
AdU 88 – Manalang 19, Lojera 16, Manganti 11, Sarr 10, Pingoy 9, Ahanmisi 8, Espeleta 5, Camacho 4, Hill 3, Bernardo 2, Ochea 1, Frias 0, Mustre 0, Zaldivar 0.
UST 81 – Faundo 21, Lee 14, Sta. Ana 14. Akomo 10, Arana 9, Basibas 7, De Guzman 2, Kwawukumey 2, Lorenzana 2, Garcia 0, Soriano 0, Caunan 0, Escalambre 0, Macasaet 0, Huang 0.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 45-39, 70-58, 88-81
