The Adamson University Soaring Falcons did not let up in their final first round assignment, blazing past the Far Eastern University Tamaraws with a 95-79 wire-to-wire victory, Saturday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Adamson will end the round at solo third with a 5-2 slate, carrying with them a four-game winning streak. FEU, on the other hand, dropped to solo fourth with a 4-3 record.
“Last season, we surprised people but now, I guess, it’s going to be a different scenario come the second round,” said second-year Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren.
Jerie Pingoy orchestrated Adamson’s relentless attack, scattering 10 points, 10 assists, and three steals.
With Pingoy steering the wheel, the Soaring Falcons played at a blistering pace to start the game, shooting 64 percent from the field — 9-for-13 from distance in the first half.
Adamson led by as much as 23 points in the first half behind 22 combined points from Jonathan Espeleta and Jerrick Ahanmisi.
Ahanmisi and Espeleta finished with 17 markers each, with the latter performing forcing a career-high six steals as well.
“Looking at the overall picture, we are number three in defense. It’s our defense that will carry us in the next round,” shared the multi-time champion head coach.
Arvin Tolentino was ejected from the game after being penalized with two unsportsmanlike fouls.
The first one was called after he allegedly elbowed Tyrus Hill early in the third frame. Knowing that he couldn’t commit another flagrant foul, the UAAP Season 77 Rookie of the Year still put up his right leg as Dawn Ochea was about to fall on him with 7:20 left in the game.
Moreover, Ron Dennison and Hubert Cani were also called for flagrant fouls in the second half.
“We anticipated that. Every game is important in the second round and we just have to anticipate the physicality,” added Pumaren.
Adamson’s lead would balloon to as high as 25 points, 72-47, early in the third frame and would only go to as low as 14 points in the final frame.
Jasper Parker was the high point man for FEU with 12 points, eight coming from the charity stripe. Ron Dennison added 11 markers, going 5-for-8 from the field.
However, FEU muffed the majority of their free throws, going just 25-for-41 from the stripe.
The Scores:
AdU 95 – Ahanmisi 17, Espeleta 17, Sarr 14, Manalang 11, Pingoy 10, Bernardo 8, Manganti 7, Hill 6, Ochea 3, Lojera 2, Mustre 0, Camacho 0, Chua 0
FEU 79 – Parker 12, Dennison 11, Cani 8, Ramirez 8, Escoto 8, Tolentino 7, Tuffin 7, Orizu 5, Comboy 5, Ebona 4, Inigo 2, Stockton 2, Trinidad 0
Quarterscores: 29-19, 61-40, 79-61, 95-79
