Adamson’s Papi Sarr. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Third time’s the charm for Adamson University as it finally took its first win in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Friday at San Juan Arena at the expense of Lyceum of the Philippines University, 90-60.
A small six-point lead, 40-34, was what all but separated the two teams until the Falcons took to the skies and swooped down on the sorry Pirates with a 28-9 third quarter to establish a 68-43 lead heading into the fourth.
Adamson now holds a 1-2 record in the Group B off the summer tournament.
Falcons head coach Franz Pumaren said he wants to see a “little bit more fire” from his team and the first thing he had to change in his new team is the mentality.
“Since I assumed the responsibility of leading this team, foremost thing that I noticed was I have to change their outlook,” said Pumaren who became the Falcons’ head coach in December.
“The ‘puwede na’ attitude, that’s one thing we have to erase from their system, I want them to be aggressive, and be a competitive team.”
Adamson finished the 78th season of the UAAP with a 3-11 record with its wins coming against University of the Philippines, University of the East, and De La Salle University.
And it looks like Pumaren’s request of “a little bit more fire” was answered as the Falcons shot an impressive 52 percent from the field while holding down the Pirates to 31 percent.
Pape Sarr was also given more minutes, after sitting out the whole second half against La Salle in the Falcons’ previous game, and he delivered with 22 points and 10 boards.
Jerrick Ahanmisi and Nicolas Paranada also finished in double figures for Adamson finishing with 13 and 10 points apiece.
Wilson Baltazar led the 1-3 Pirates with 17 points while Shaq Alanes added 12.