Falcons soar to Final 4, push UP’s chances backwards
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.