At A Glance
- Adamson flexed it might and dominated the paint to dispatch University of Santo Tomas, 69-59, and go two in a row in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Oct. 18.
AJ Fransman stars for Adamson. (UAAP Media)
Adamson flexed it might and dominated the paint to dispatch University of Santo Tomas, 69-59, and go two in a row in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Oct. 18.
With both squads struggling offensively, the Soaring Falcons took advantage of their rebounding edge and converted them to baskets before shrugging off the performances of Collins Akowe and Nic Cabañero.
Adamson collected 50 rebounds, 21 of which on the offensive end. They improved to a 3-4 record.
UST, meanwhile, fell to a 5-2 card. The Tigers sit behind current leader NU Bulldogs (4-2) and the Ateneo Blue Eagles (4-3).
“Malaking bagay ‘yong mga ganoong runs because a team like us, when you play the bigger programs, hindi puwedeng laging close games sa huli,” said Adamson head coach Nash Racela. "'Yon ang target namin,... we want to have a lead up to the end game. at ngayon nakatulong, we were able to manage it better today."
AJ Fransman starred for Adamson with 18 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Cedrick Manzano and Ray Allen Torres conspired for 22 points.
“Para sa akin, ‘yong team effort namin is nandoon mula umpisa hanggang fourth quarter [tyaka] talagang hindi kami bumitaw,” added Fransman.
The trio delivered big baskets in the fourth and maintained the gap thanks to their defense.
Cabañero, for his part, collected 23 points, five rebounds, and two steals, while Akowe added 12 as the two players were the only double-digit finishers for the Pido Jarencio-guided crew.
Meanwhile in women’s action, UST went off to a third-quarter blast and annihilated Adamson, 79-55, to inch closer to a first-round sweep.
Karylle Sierba shone with 16 points for the Golden Tigresses who remained unblemished in six games at the top of the standings, while Adamson fell to 2-4 at sixth.
The scores:
AdU (69) – Fransman 18, Manzano 12, Torres 10, Erolon 7, A. Ronzone 7, Montebon 6, Anabo 4, Ojakire 2, Medina 2, Barcelona 1, Jaymalin 0, Cañete 0, Perez 0, C. Ronzone 0.
UST (59) – Cabañero 23, Akowe 10, Padrigao 7, Calum 6, Llemit 5, Paranada 3, Crisostomo 3, Laure 2, Acido 0, Buenaflor 0, Estacio 0, Danting 0.
Quarterscores: 16-16, 38-25, 53-43, 69-59