Ray Allen Torres displayed tremendous poise and hit a game-winning triple to lift Adamson over reigning champion University of the Philippines, 62-59, to clinch their first win in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Tied at 59-all and with 22.2 seconds left in the payoff period, Torres went on an isolation play against Gerry Abadiano, who kept UP within striking distance late in the game, before delivering the dagger from beyond the arc which pulled the Soaring Falcons away for good.

The Fighting Maroons attempted to force an overtime with 2.8 seconds remaining but they ultimately failed and sustained their first loss to Adamson in three years, while remained winless in two games -- their worst start since Season 79.

Adamson, on the other hand, improved its tally to 1-1.

Torres scored 10 points and had two rebounds, one assist, and two steals, while AJ Fransman, who brought the Falcons ahead, 59-57, with an inside attack, also fired 10 along with eight rebounds and one assist.

“‘Yong last play kasi sabi dalhin lang ni Matty ‘yong bola sa gitna ta's nung last five seconds ibinigay sa'kin, pero nung nasa akin na ‘yong bola, block out na lahat, tinanggal ko lahat ng emotions ko, nag-focus lang ako sa tira ko,” said Torres.

Despite being fouled out late, skipper Cedrick Manzano listed eight points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one block, while Mat Montebon contributed eight points as well.

Abadiano, for his part, poured in 15 points to lead UP’s scoring column, while Gani Stevens and Harold Alarcon, who received a stellar in-bound play from him that leveled the match prior to Torres’ heroics, conspired for 22 points.

The nip-and-tuck affair turned more intense in the second half. Yet, the Falcons found ways to create an ample separation with Torres and Fransman conniving on the floor and built a 46-38 lead off a 12-4 run for the Nash Racela-mentored crew.

But Abadiano wouldn’t let the game slip away easily, igniting the Maroons’ run with stellar plays with the help from Stevens, Alarcon, Francis Nnoruka, and Rey Remogat. They cut a once 39-49 deficit into two, 55-57.

Following Abadiano’s two freebies that made it 57-57, a brief confusion occurred and delayed the game as Adamson played with only four players on the floor, giving another chance to UP to take its first victory in Season 88.

The State U, however, wasted the opportunity as Nnoruka committed an offensive foul that put him out of the game with 58.8 seconds on the clock.

From there, Fransman made a much-needed basket on the paint followed by Torres’ clutch trey that sealed the win.

Meanwhile in women’s action, University of the Philippines held off Adamson, 66-63, to kickstart its run on a victorious note.

Louna Ozar, who fired a crucial triple down the stretch, starred for the Fighting Maroons with 13 points and six rebounds, while Camille Nolasco added 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Marielle Vingno and Achrissa Maw added eight points each.

AdU (62) – Fransman 10, Torres 10, Manzano 8, Montebon 8, Anabo 6, A. Ronzone 6, Erolon 6, Barcelona 3, Demisana 2, Medina 2, Tumaneng 1, Perez 0, C. Ronzone 0, Ojarikre 0.

UP (59) – Abadiano 15, Alarcon 12, Stevens 10, Nnoruka 8, Palanca 4, Torres 4, Fortea 4, Bayla 2, Remogat 0, Felicilda 0, Belmonte 0, Yniguez 0,,Alter 0.

Quarterscores: 15-13, 26-24, 46-39, 62-59