Warriors, Falcons hack out close wins

UE STAR Roi Sumang goes acrobatic against La Salle’s Jeron Teng (left) and Almond Vosotros. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

RALF Olivares emerged as the end-game hero for University of the East and Jericho Cruz also came out big for Adamson as the Warriors and the Falcons pulled off separate pulsating triumphs in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Cruz dropped all but two of his 18 points in the second half as the Falcons stunned the National University Bulldogs, 68-66, to climb to solo third at 3-2.

The Warriors slipped past the La Salle Green Archers, 85-83, with  Olivares knocking in six of  UE’s last eight points inside the last 46 seconds.

“We were very fortunate against NU, we were lucky,” said coach Leo Austria, whose Falcons escaped as NU’s Robin Roño missed  a wide-open triple attempt at the buzzer.

Cruz buried the last four points in an 8-0 run that pushed the Falcons ahead, 68-63, going into the final minute after trailing at 60-63.

“He showed us he also has a big heart like (Roi) Sumang and (Charles) Mammie,” coach Boycie Zamar said of Olivares as the Warriors tied the Bulldogs at the fourth spot at 3-3.

Olivares buried a huge triple that gave the Warriors an 82-81 lead, then later nailed a buffer free throw with 12.6 seconds left after the Green Archers had threatened within a point, 84-83.

Coming off the bench like Olivares, guard Dan Alberto also delivered in the clutch by firing a floater that pushed the Warriors within a point, 77-78, and canning two cushion free throws, 84-81, with 28.5 seconds left.

The scores:

First Game

UE 85—Sumang 21, Mammie 19, Javier 16, Alberto 9, Olivares 8, Noble 8, Santos 4, Jumao-as 0, Hernandez 0, Flores 0, Casajeros 0.

LA SALLE 83—Vosotros 26, Teng 13, N. Torres 9, T. Torres 9, Van Opstal 8, Dela Paz 8, Salem 6, Perkins 4, Tampus 0, Revilla 0, Montalbo 0.

Quarters: 18-18, 39-43, 58-64, 85-83

Second Game

ADAMSON 68—Cruz 18, Cabrera 12, Trollano 7, Sewa 6, Petilos 5, Rios 4, Monteclaro 4, Brondial 4, Agustin 4, Julkipli 2, Iñigo 2, Ochea 0, Abrigo 0.

NU 66—Mbe 17, Parks 15, Javillonar 10, Roño 6, Perez 5, Villamor 4, Alolino 4, Javelona 3, Porter 2, Rosario 0, Khobuntin 0, Alejandro 0.

Quarters: 17-15, 32-28, 48-48, 68-66