By NIKOLE JAVIER
Adamson cruised past University of the East for its first win, 74-61, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
JM Sabandal tallied 16 points and four rebounds while Jerom Lastimosa added 11 markers, seven assists and four rebounds to bounce back from their overtime defeat against the defending champion University of the Philippines, 87-78, last Oct. 5.
The Falcons, who got their first triumph in three outings, started strong with a 23-9 lead against the Red Warriors (1-2) but the latter picked up their momentum to inch closer and cut the deficit by seven at the half.
Harvey Pagsanjan tried to breathe life into the Red Warriors with a triple to make it 45-42, but Kyle Paranada couldn’t beat the buzzer and follow up with a game-tying three to conclude the third frame.
Sabandal and Lenda Douanga connived inside the court for 13 points in the last period to exhaust Calvin Payawal’s three consecutive three-pointers to revive UE.
“It feels good to win. Actually, it feels good. That’s something that all teams look for at the start of each tournament. Hopefully, we could follow it up,” said Adamson head coach Nash Racela.
Luis Villegas paced UE with 15 points including nine rebounds while Payawal added 12 points after going 3-of-4 beyond the arc but couldn’t carry the winning momentum from snapping their 15-game losing streak against Far Eastern University, 76-66, last Oct. 5.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 74 -- Sabandal 16, Lastimosa 11, V. Magbuhos 9, Douanga 9, Manzano 6, Hanapi 6, Colonia 5, Yerro 4, Flowers 4, Torres 2, Barcelona 2, Jaymalin 0, Barasi 0, W. Magbuhos 0, Fuentebella 0.
UE 61 -- Villegas 15, Payawal 12, K. Paranada 8, Pagsanjan 7, Sawat 7, Stevens 6, N. Paranada 4, Tulabut 2, Alcantara 0, Remogat 0, Antiporda 0, Beltran 0.
Quarters: 23-9, 38-31, 49-45, 74-61.