FALCONS BOUNCE BACK AND ENDS FIRST ROUND WITH A WIN OVER TIGERS
By Maxine Louise Lagman
5 October 2016
AFTER a seven-point deficit against UE Red Warriors, the Adamson Soaring Falcons bounced back and ended with a victorious win on the first round of the UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament over the UST Growling Tigers, 79-52 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It was a jammed game in the first period, as the Tigers and Falcons scored back-to-back points with only a four-point lead between the score board, 33-29, in favor of Adamson.
However, rookie star Jerrick Ahanmisi exploded in the third period. He opened the match to a three-point shot and followed by perfect eight consecutive shots that left the Adamson crowd in awe and shouted a dynamic cheer for the team.
UST’s efforts to turn the game to their side was no luck, as the hype continued in the Adamson’s side. Tigers Regie Basibas and Dean Lee worked hard to drive the ball to the basket, but only ended up with a total of eight points for the team, and ended the third badly. Adamson outscored UST, 26-8, and never looked back until the end of the game, putting a 27-point lead.
“We really made it difficult for them. We made them frustrated from the start, which I feel we should start doing, establishing ourselves from the opening,” said Adamson Coach Franz Pumaren. “Other teams may start treating us difficultly. Not like in the start of the season. I don’t think they gave us a chance that we could be in this particular situation.”
Papi Sarr led Adamson with 16 points, 25 rebounds and four blocks. However, despite a good performance, Pumaren said that the coaches called the attention of the team. He said that Sarr cannot get the rebounds all the time, it should be a team’s collective effort.
Meanwhile, Falcons guard Nikko Pranada, who Pumaren said was like former DLSU plaer Jvee Casio, ended with 14 points, three assists and four steals.
“He is very unpredictable. You think he’s slow, but he’s quick. He has high basketball IQ. He’s still adjusting to college basketball and Philippine-type basketball,” Pumaren said.
Ahansmisi and Rob Manalang added 11 and 10 points, respectively for the win of Adamson. While Tigers Kent Lao and Dean Lee finished with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Adamson finished with 4-3 in the first round with Ateneo and National University, while UST down to 2-5.
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