Jerom Lastimosa drained a dagger three with 23.3 seconds left as Adamson avenged its first round loss against University of the Philippines with a 66-58 win in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Thursday night, April 21.
The third straight win propelled the Soaring Falcons to a three-way tie at fourth place with the National University Bulldogs and the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, all holding a 4-6 record.
Adamson coach Nash Racela’s play after timeout all went according to plan as Lastimosa’s isolation against James Spencer paid off en route to a 62-57 lead in the waning seconds.
Racela, however, wasn’t happy with the next turn of events after Ricky Peromingan was called for a technical foul for unsportsmanlike behavior which enabled Ricci Rivero to shoot a free throw.
Peromingan, after review, was seen talking to the referee which did not sit well after trying to make contact with the official while explaining.
Zavier Lucero and CJ Cansino missed back-to-back attempts from beyond the arc before Pong Zalvidar and Lastimosa iced the game with a pair of free throws.
At the end of the day, the victory just came in time for Racela and the Falcons.
"We were able to beat a powerhouse team, Nakakatuwa lang. I think our players deserved that, mabigat 'yong pinagdaanan," said Racela as the streaking Adamson also snapped UP's eight-game win streak.
Lastimosa scored eight of his 13 points in the payoff period powered by two triples, five rebounds, and four assists.
Didat Hanapi added 12 points while Joem Sabandal also played a pivotal role for the Falcons with 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Rivero led all scorers with 14 points and five rebounds while Carl Tamayo chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds for the Maroons, who sustained an 8-2 record.
Adamson shoots for its fourth consecutive victory on Saturday, April 23 against the embattled University of Santo Tomas at the 10 a.m. curtain-raiser while UP battles third-seeded team De La Salle in their 4:30 p.m. encounter.
The Scores:
Adamson 66 -- Lastimosa 13, Hanapi 12, Sabandal 11, Manzano 8, Zaldivar 8, Magbuhos 6, Peromingan 5, Colonia 2, Yerro 1, Douanga 0, Jaymalin 0, Erolon 0, Barasi 0.
UP 58 -- Rivero 14, Tamayo 12, Diouf 7, Lucero 7, Cagulangan 6, Cansino 5, Spencer 4, Webb 3, Alarcon 0, Abadiano 0, Fortea 0.
Quarterscores: 20-12, 36-28, 47-44, 66-58.