Falcons secure 3rd semis seat

Adamson trounced University of the Philippines, 86-70, on Sunday to book the third semifinal seat in UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Falcons led by as many as 21 points, but needed to quell the Fighting Maroons’ final rally to post their ninth win in 13 games and move beyond reach of first game winner Far Eastern University.

The FEU Tamaraws gored the University of the East Red Warriors, 79-63, to climb to 6-6 and fourth place.
UE fell out of Final Four contention after dropping to 3-10.
With the Fighting Maroons closing in, 74-66, behind the hot hands of Paul Desiderio, the Falcons countered with 12 straight points, six coming from Jerrick Ahanmisi, to seal the outcome and pull down UP to fifth at 5-7.

FEU and UE were tied at 49 after the third quarter, but the Tamaraws found their groove in the fourth and pulled away behind a 21-8 scoring run.

Prized transferee Arvin Tolentino capped that outburst that shoved FEU ahead, 70-57, with 3:27 to go.
Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela said their game against the Red Warriors was a crucial one for the team, which came into the game having lost its last two outings and is in a tight race for the fourth spot.

“We need more wins in our remaining games but this is a good confidence-booster for us going into the homestretch,” said Racela.

Jasper Parker orchestrated the plays for FEU, finishing with 18 points and eight assists, while Prince Orizu powered the Tamaraws inside with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Tolentino, who celebrated his 22nd birthday, finished with 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Alvin Pasaol contributed 18 points and seven boards, while Mark Olayon added 14 points and six assists for UE.
Meanwhile, Filipino basketball fans are in for a treat as tickets to Tanduay Alab Pilipinas season opener in the Asean Basketball League will be free, according to team manager Charlie Dy.

The Philippines will take on defending champion Hong Kong on Nov. 19 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Reigning ABL Local MVP Bobby Ray Parks is back in the fold for Alab, which also tapped NBA veteran Ivan Johnson. —BONG LOZADA AND RANDOLPH LEONGSON, INQUIRER.NET

First Game scores:
FEU 79—Parker 18, Orizu 14, Tolentino 10, Dennison 9, Trinidad 9, Cani 8, Tuffin 4, Escoto 3, Comboy 2, Bayquin 2, Inigo 0, Ebona 0, Ramirez 0.
UE 63—Pasaol 18, Olayon 14, Maloles 8, Acuno 8, Manalang 7, Bartolome 4, Conner 4, Derige 0, Varilla 0, Cullar 0, Toribio 0, Abanto 0.
Quarters: 18-22, 29-33, 49-49, 79-63