Photo by Tristan
Adamson humbled Far Eastern University, 95-79, to take sole possession of the third spot in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Soaring Falcons streaked to their fourth straight win for 5-2 record at the end of the first round while the Tamaraws remained at the upper half of the table despite the loss with a 4-3 card.
Adamson took control of the game as early as the first half establishing a 61-40 lead at the break as it shot the lights out with nine of its 10 triples coming in the first two quarters.
The Falcons also tallied 17 of its 22 total assists in the first 20 minutes of play.
And even though the Falcons had a big enough lead that sustained them until the final buzzer, their win did not end on the peachiest of terms.
There were several scuffles in the fourth quarter, one of which saw FEU forward Arvin Tolentino get thrown out of the playing floor after kicking Dawn Ochea with 7:20 left in the game.
“We anticipated that [type of physicality],” said Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren. “Every game is important in the second round and we just have to anticipate the physicality.”
“Down the stretch, we have to be smarter.”
Jerrick Ahanmisi and Jonathan Espeleta both had 17 points to lead Adamson while Papi Sarr put up a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double.
It was Jerie Pingoy, however, who orchestrated the Soaring Falcons’ offense when he dished out 10 assists, the highest mark by a single player this season, to go along his 10 points.
Jasper Parker had 12 points for FEU.