Reigning MVP Malick Diouf, returning Cj Cansino shine as UP downs Adamson

Reigning MVP Malick Diouf and returning CJ Cansino shone as UP rout Adamson sans Jerom Lastimosa, 68-51, in the first round of UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Oct. 1, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

The Season 85 finalists joined the winning column courtesy of a mix of their championship players and promising recruits for a 1-0 start. 

Diouf finished with a double-double outing of 20 points and 19 rebounds including three blocks, while Cansino, who was sidelined last season due to a torn ACL, tallied 19 points. 

The two squads engaged in a nip-and-tuck affair until the last stretch of the first half before UP began to pull away to greet a 31-25 advantage at the half. 

Cansino fired up in his return, drove for an easy basket inside the paint to give the Fighting Maroons their biggest lead of the game, 61-41, but the Soaring Falcons responded with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 13. 

Before Adamson could make a full recovery, though, Cansino unloaded back-to-back baskets including a three-pointer to seal his comeback with a brilliant win. 

“First quarter, we were a little bit slow going down on defense. We were very impatient offensively, but the good thing is the team adjusted to what’s happening. Syempre we need to work on what needs working on,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde. 

The Soaring Falcons absorbed a 0-1 opening loss and evidently suffered without Lastimosa, who is set to miss a couple of more games due to a knee injury. 

Matthew Montebon carried the offensive production for Adamson with 13 points, while Didap Hanapi added 11 points. 

UP will resume action against another victorious team University of the East Red Warriors on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The scores:

UP (68) -- Diouf 20, Cansino 19, Alarcon 10, Cagulangan 5, Lopez 5, Gonzales 3, Felicilda 2, Torculas 2, Alter 2, Torres 0, Pablo 0, Belmonte 0, Abadiano 0, Briones 0, Andres 0.

AdU (51) -- Montebon 13, Hanapi 11, Sabandal 8, Manzano 8, Colonia 4, Magbuhos 3, Ojarikre 2, Barasi 2, Barcelona 0, Ramos 0, Erolon 0, Calisay 0, Yerro 0, Anabo 0, Canete 0.

Quarterscores: 16-11, 31-25, 48-35, 68-51