Falcons soar to Final 4, push UP’s chances backwards
- By Miguel Diego D.G. Baleros
- Nov 8, 2017
- 2 min read
The Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons secured their final four appearance at third place after winning against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 86-70, in the second round of the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
Adamson improved to a 9-4 win-loss record at the expense of UP who fell to a 5-7 record, decreasing the Fighting Maroons' chances of reaching the final four.
Jerrick Ahanmisi does a jumpshot in attempt to sink a trey. Photo from Rappler.
Both teams fought with tremendous effort during the first quarter with UP leading by seven points at an early stage, 15-8, but Adamson sparked an 8-0 run, ending the first canto with a one-point lead.
UP showed a better performance during the second quarter with Jun Manzo's athletic plays, but the Falcons kept their defense up and finished the second quarter with an eight-point lead, 39-31.
Papi Sarr led Adamson throughout the second half with a 17-2 run, stretching their lead to as much as 23 points.
Paul Desiderio's 20 points fell short against AdU's Sarr, who showcased a spectacular double-double performance, 25 points and 17 boards.
The Fighting Maroons will next face the undefeated Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles on Wednesday, November 8 at The Big Dome while the Soaring Falcons will battle the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws on Saturday, November 11, at the same venue.
Box scores:
AdU 86 – Sarr 25, Pingoy 15, Ahanmisi 11, Manalang 10, Espeleta 8, Manganti 5, Ochea 4, Hill 4, Camacho 4, Lojera 0, Mustre 0, Bernardo 0, Paranada 0.
UP 70 – Desiderio 20, Manzo 15, Gomez de Liano 10, Vito 6, Lim 4, Dario 3, Jaboneta 3, Webb 3, Ouattara 2, Romero 2, Lao 2, Harris 0, Prado 0.
Quarter scores:
18-17, 39-31, 69-50, 86-70.