Dawn Ochea nails the game winner as the Adamson bench reacts. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Adamson stunned Ateneo, 62-61, on a game winner from Dawn Ochea to stabilize its record early in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ochea hit a turnaround jumper from the left corner with 1.9 seconds left to deliver their second win against as many losses.
Falcons head coach Franz Pumaren said the down-to-wire game was gave the team a chance to reveal its true character.
WATCH: Ochea hits! Adamson leads 62-61! pic.twitter.com/FbOvrSBrUV #UAAPSeason79 | @BLozadaINQ
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“The old Adamson team, they could’ve easily folded, today they showed character,” said Pumaren. “Ochea made me a coaching genius with that change.”
“They forgot we got another guy who can score.”
Thirdy Ravena tried to salvage the game for the Blue Eagles but his shot bounced around the rim as the time expired.
Pumaren added they’ve been doing the same play in practice where a quick jumper would follow the inbounds pass.
“We’ve been doing that play, making scenarios for that, we’ve diagrammed that, and it was divine intervention also.”
Rob Manalang led Adamson with 15 points while Jerrick Ahanmisi added 13 of his own.
Papi Sarr was the man of the boards for the Soaring Falcons gobbling up 16 points to go along his 13 rebounds.
Toni Asistio had 12 points to lead the Blue Eagles, who led by 10 entering the payoff period but ultimately dropped to 2-2.
The Scores
ADAMSON 62 – Manalang 15, Ahanmisi 13, Sarr 13, Manganti 6, Espeleta 4, Mustre 4, Bernardo 3, Tungcab 2, Ochea 2, Camacho 0, Pasturan 0, Chua 0, Ng 0, Paranada 0
ATENEO 61 – Asistio 12, Porter 8, Nieto Mi 7, Nieto Ma 7, Tolentino 6, Ikeh 5, Mendoza 5, Wong 4, Verano 4, Ravena 3, Babilonia 0, Go 0
Quarters: 21-15, 35-35, 46-56, 62-61