Falcons trip Warriors; Tams gore Tigers
By Jasmine W. Payo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:32:00 07/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Adamson University pulled off the first reversal of the 71st UAAP men’s basketball tournament with a 66-64 squeaker over University of the East Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Paul Gonzalgo knocked in a triple with 1.6 seconds left to salvage the game after the Falcons had blown a 15-point lead, 48-33, over last season’s runner-up.
Gonzalgo, the 5-foot-11 son of former pro Dante Gonzalgo, and Jan Colina both came up big in the Falcons’ second straight victory in four outings.
Colina buried a team-high 15 points, including six straight that kept the Falcons in the match during the Warriors’ fourth-quarter comeback. The 6-foot-3 forward also grabbed 10 rebounds and posted three blocks.
The Warriors still had a chance to claim victory, but skipper Marcy Arellano’s potential game-winning triple rimmed out at the buzzer.
“Our offense and the execution of our plays were good,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria. “The players really wanted to win.”
Far Eastern University earlier survived a late University of Santo Tomas rally for a 70-65 win that gave the Tamaraws a share of second place at 3-1.
Benedict Fernandez, who presided over a key run that put the Tamaraws up at 60-53, posted a career-high 24 points, nailing five of six attempts from beyond the arc.
Mac Baracael added 16 markers, including three free throws in the last 26 seconds after rookies Clark Bautista and Jeric Fortuna had moved the Tigers within a basket, 67-65.
Jervy Cruz finished with 11 markers and a career-low three rebounds. The Tigers also played without starting point guard Japs Cuan, who suffered a meniscus tear on his left knee.
“We won that game because of our defense,” said FEU mentor Glenn Capacio. “We shot 33 percent from the field, but we still won. We also controlled Jervy (Cruz) at the boards, so credit goes to our big men.”
Before Gonzalgo’s game-winning shot, Elmer Espiritu sank two free throws off a Colina foul with 23.9 ticks left to give the Warriors their first lead, 64-63, since early in the second period.
“We knew that UE is capable of a comeback and that’s exactly what happened,” said Austria. “Without our big men, it would have been hard for us to win. They don’t have a legitimate center and the presence of (Michael) Galinato intimidated their big men.”
The Warriors skidded to their second straight loss to join the Falcons at 2-2.
It was the second straight time that a former pro’s son starred for the Falcons after Marc Agustin, son of former PBA MVP Ato Agustin, led Adamson to a 73-65 win over National University last week.
With Colina and Junard Yambot waxing hot, the Falcons outscored the Warriors, 22-12, in the second quarter for a 32-27 halftime lead.
The lead ballooned to 42-29 after Galinato, who contributed nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks, sparked a 10-2 Adamson spurt early in the third period.
The Warriors, who lost to Ateneo de Manila University, 64-58, last week, again played without top backup guard Paul Lee, who was recovering from dengue.
The scores:
First Game
ADAMSON 66—Colina 15, Gonzalgo 12, Galinato 9, Olalia 7, Yambot 7, Cañada 6, Santos 4, Nuyles 2, Agustin 2, Alvarez 2.
UE 64—Espiritu 14, Arellano 10, Llagas 8, Lingganay 7, Martinez 6, Noble 5, Thiele 5, Zamar 3, Bandsaying 3, Reyes 2, Duran 1.
Quarters: 10-15, 32-27, 52-43, 66-64
Second Game
FEU 70—Fernandez 24, Baracael 16, Barroca 8, Knuttel 6, Cervantes 5, Ramos 5, Adolfo 4, Cawaling 2, Kave 0, Alisbo 0, Sanga 0, Cabagnot 0.
UST 65—Allera 20, Cruz 11, Ababou 9, Fortuna 8, Canas 6, Camus 5, Bautista 5, Mirza 1, Fenequito 0, Gile 0, Taylor 0.
Quarters: 10-16, 31-30, 47-49, 70-65
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