Adamson stays in twice-to-beat hunt, rips NU

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER

Adamson University kept its bid for a twice-to-beat edge going after embarrassing National University, 77-53, in its penultimate game in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at Smart Araneta Colisuem.

The Soaring Falcons are tied in third place with defending champions Far Eastern University at 8-5, just a game behind the current second seed Ateneo that has a 9-4 record.

Adamson was quick to establish its offensive rhythm in the game outscoring the Bulldogs 35-19, 21-6 in the second quarter, in the first half that eventually became its foundation in the latter stages of the match.

“We can’t have a flat start and we have to establish ourselves early,” said Falcons head coach Franz Pumaren, whose team is riding a four-game winning streak. “We’re aiming to at least getting that twice-to-beat advantage and the scenario is we have to beat Ateneo and we can create some sort of a tie.” 

Adamson held NU to a horrible shooting performance of 16-of-54 while doubling the output on its end of the court with a 32-of-62 clip. 

Papi Sarr had a 22-point, 15-rebound double-double to lead the Falcons while Jonathan Espeleta added 15 points.

Jay Alejandro led the 5-9 Bulldogs with 15 points while the graduating Alfred Aroga had nine points and 12 boards.