Falcons soar over Bulldogs, one win away from playoffs spot
The Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons snatched a win from the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 90-77, in the second round of the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Sunday.
Adamson improved their record to an 8-4 slate and is now a victory away from securing a spot in the playoffs while NU fell to a 4-7 slate.
The Falcons went in bucket after bucket in the first quarter, giving them a good start of 21-5.
NU's Jayjay Alejandro blocks a shot from Adamson's Jerrick Ahanmisi. Photo by Josh Albelda of ABSCBN Sports.
Rob Manalang, Jerrick Ahanmisi, and Jonathan Espeleta each had 11 points by the end of the first half, dominating over the Bulldogs at an early stage of the game.
“I think for us to be successful in this season is we have to put more emphasis on defense,” AdU head coach Franz Pumaren said in a press interview.
"It's important that we set the tone from the beginning," he added.
Jayjay Alejandro's game-high 18 points that powered NU still fell short against Adamson's Jerrick Ahanmisi and Jonathan Espeleta who both scored 16 points each.
“Our focus right now is just to win the next two games,” said Pumaren regarding their next two opponents University of the Philippines (UP) and Far Eastern University (FEU) who are joint fourth-placers.
NU will next face the De La Salle University Green Archers on Nov. 4, while Adamson will stand against the UP Fighting Maroons on Nov. 5.
Both games will be at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. M.D. Baleros
Box scores:
AdU 90 – Ahanmisi 16, Espeleta 16, Sarr 14, Manalang 14, Pingoy 7, Manganti 7, Lojera 5, Camacho 4, Mustre 3, Bernardo 2, Zaldivar 2, Ochea 0, Hill 0, Paranada 0, Chua 0
NU 77 – Alejandro 18, Diputado 14, Yu 8, Mosqueda 7, Tibayan 6, Morido 6, Abatayo 5, Aquino 4, Cauilan 3, Joson 2, Gaye 2, Rangel 2, Lastimosa 0, Bartlett 0
Quarter scores:
32-12, 57-35, 72-48, 90-77