Falcons try to declaw Eagles

FILE – Adamson Falcons. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

At the start of the season, coach Franz Pumaren knew that his Adamson Falcons still lacked the goods to make it into the Final Four.

So it’s surprising to see that they’re making a strong bid for the No. 2 spot in the playoffs when the Falcons face the hot-streaking Ateneo Blue Eagles in the final elimination round playdate in Season 79 of UAAP men’s basketball today at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Right now, we’re living the dream and I feel that we’ve surprised a lot of basketball fanatics,” said Pumaren.

“We’re able to fast-track everything. I even mentioned during the pre-season that we’re looking at 2017 but will try to make this year very competitive,” he added.

The Falcons, soaring with Jerrick Ahanmisi, Papi Sarr, Sean Manganti and Rob Manalang, won their last four games, including an important win over the FEU Tamaraws, who will end their campaign in the preliminaries against the UE Warriors (3-10) in the other match.

Fighting with a nothing-to-lose mentality, they’re now tied with the Tamaraws at 8-5 and have a shot at the second seeding should they defeat the Blue Eagles (9-4).

“We’re in this situation that there’s a possibility that we can create a tie for second spot. Why not?” said Pumaren. “We’re the gate-crashers right now in the Final Four. With this opportunity, might as well make the most out of it.”

A victory by the Falcons will allow them to figure in a playoff for the No. 2 berth against the Blue Eagles. If the Falcons lose, the Blue Eagles will clinch the other twice-to-beat advantage while the Falcons seal the third ranking.

“We just have to stay focused on what we have to do and again come up with a lot of energy for this game,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.

Starring Isaac Go, Thirdy Ravena and Matt Nieto, the Blue Eagles are the hottest team in the league with five straight victories, highlighted by clear upsets over No. 1 qualifier La Salle (13-1) and the Tamaraws.

With successive defeats lately, the fate of the Tamaraws has already slipped beyond their grasp and the only way for them to earn a crack at either No. 2 or No. 3 is to pray for a far-fetched 31-point Adamson victory.

The defending champion Tamaraws fell prey to the arrows of the Green Archers as well as to the claws of the Falcons and Eagles in their last three games.