PHOTO BY AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines—Austin Manyara sparked a fourth-quarter swing to lift Adamson past Jose Rizal University, 73-58, in the stepladder Sweet 16 round of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Tuesday at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Manyara, the Kenyan center who finished with a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds, took charge in a key breakaway that put the Falcons ahead for good, 60-49, after a slim 49-48 lead.
Letran also sent the spunky La Salle packing as the quartet of Mark Cruz, Kevin Alas, Kevin Racal and Raymond Almazan powered the Knights to a 66-61 victory in the second game.
Alas drilled 14 points, the last on a key layup with 80 seconds left after the Archers cut down their 61-50 advantage to just a basket, 61-59.
Racal shared scoring honors with 14, while Cruz unloaded all of his 11 points in the second half.
Dominating the paint anew, Almazan posted a remarkable 17 rebounds and seven blocks to go with his 10 markers.
“Our rebounding keyed the win and we were also able to stop their (Archers) transition,” said Letran coach Louie Alas.
Despite the absence of two injured stars, The Falcons thrived behind Janus Lozada, who had 14 points, 11 boards, five assists and three steals and Jerick Cañada, who chipped in 10 markers.
Adamson also took advantage of a crucial fourth-quarter stretch where the Falcons converted five free throws off a pair of technical fouls slapped on JRU coach Vergel Meneses and player Ralph Monserat.
The scores:
First Game
ADAMSON 73—Manyara 16, Lozada 14, Cañada 10, Colina 8, Camson 7, Cabrera 6, Etrone 4, Brondial 4, Manuel 2, Alvarez 2, Olalia 0, Petilos 0, Rios 0, Monteclaro 0, Agustin 0.
JRU 58—Apinan 17, Kabigting 13, Villarias 10, Monserat 4, Lopez 4, Matute 3, Almario 3, Paniamogan 2, Mendoza 2, Tiongco 0, Montemayor 0.
Quarters: 13-18, 25-27, 48-40, 73-58
Second Game
LETRAN 66—Racal 14, Alas K. 14, Cruz 11, Almazan 10, Cortes 6, Lituania 5, Gabawan 2, Espiritu 2, Pantin 2, Belorio 0, Alas J. 0.
LA SALLE 61—Torres 16, Mendoza 9, Vosotros 8, Revilla 8, Tampus 6, Webb 6, Marata 4, Paredes 3, Gotladera 1.
Quarters: 13-15, 25-29, 47-42, 66-61