By NIKOLE JAVIER
Adamson showed endgame poise and fended off the comeback attempt of Far Eastern University to hack out a 75-70 win in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday night, Nov. 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Jerom Lastimosa, who was then indefinitely out of the season and missed two games, delivered 23 points on a 5-of-8 shooting from the outside in a 17-minute stint to lift the Soaring Falcons to a 6-6 record and pumped some life to their Final Foul bid.
Lenda Douanga added 18 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting from the field.
Adamson blasted away with a 27-4 first-quarter run and limited FEU on a 0-of-16 shooting from the field to set the early tone of the match.
Staring at a huge second-half surge from the Tamaraws, the Falcons had to find another way to put defensive stops and protect their lead until the buzzer.
The Tamaraws managed to inch closer to the Falcons, 74-70, after Xyrus Torres knocked down three points off the line with 9.3 ticks left before Joshua Yerro was sent to the line and split his free throws which iced the game.
“It’s nice again that we were able to put ourselves in a good position at least we were able to control things that we can control and ‘yon lagi sinasabi namin sa players and today . Buhay pa rin,” said Adamson head coach Nash Racela.
For FEU’s part, Kyle Bautista finished with 14 points while Cholo Anonuevo and Sajonia added 13 and 11 in the losing effort marking the end of its eight-season run in the Final Four.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 75 -- Lastimosa 23, Douanga 18, Manzano 10, Sabandal 6, Colonia 4, Hanapi 3, Yerro 3, Jaymalin 3, Torres 2, Barasi 2, Manlapaz 1, Barcelona 0, Flowers 0, Fuentebella 0, W. Magbuhos 0.
FEU 70 -- Bautista 14, Anonuevo 13, Sajonia 11, Alforque 8, Sleat 5, Gonzales 5, Torres 4, Tchuente 4, Ona 4, Celzo 2, Bagunu 0, Gravera 0, Songcuya 0.
Quarters: 27-4, 39-30, 58-46, 75-70.