Adamson leaned on its balanced attack to turn back Far Eastern University, 59-47, and kick off its campaign in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Unbothered and all by the early surge of the Tamaraws in the first period, the Soaring Falcons got over their sluggish start and steadily gained steam and confidence to pull away from the Sean Chambers-coached squad. 

By the time FEU nearly dug out itself from the deficit, 46-37, Matt Erolon made a run all on his own with seven consecutive points as Adamson picked up its biggest lead at 55-37 with five minutes left in the contest. 

Royce Mantua delivered 14 points highlighted by three shots from long range on top of four rebounds, two assists and two steals in an efficient showing. 

Picking up the pieces from its Final Four defeat last season accompanied by Jerom Lastimosa's exit, it took a while for Adamson's holdovers to settle into their new roles but eventually managed to hold on to the important headstart that could set the tone for its early bid to the top. 

"Not really surprised that they struggled because going into the opening, the last couple of weeks we were struggling. It showed in the first half where the team wasn’t really settling down," said Adamson head coach Nash Racela. 

His fellow Adamson holdovers Monty Montebon and Erolon delivered a combined 21-point performance that solidified their hold of the lead. 

FEU veteran Jorick Bautista posted 14 points on a decent 6-of-15 clip on the losing end while the rest of the Tamaraws went almost blank when their presence was needed the most.