MANILA, Philippines—Adamson closed the game on a 16-0 run to shock University of Santo Tomas, 78-71, in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Val Chauca led the Falcons’ fightback from a nine-point hole, 62-71, in the last three minutes, unleashing 11 of his 18 points in the final frame. The Fil-Peruvian guard also had eight assists and six rebounds.
“This game really wasn’t about the X’s and O’s. This game was all heart,” said Chauca.
“The players just dug deep inside them. It’s an old cliché but they just refused to lose,” Adamson coach Franz Pumaren after his team rose to joint third place with UST at 3-2. “This win will boost us and make us a better team down the stretch.”
Jerrick Ahanmisi also delivered down the stretch, scoring a breakaway basket and hitting a pair of free throws to seal the game, 76-71 with 15.6 seconds remaining.
Ahamisi finished with a game-high 24 points, 20 through three quarters.
Adamson’s comeback win also erased the memory of its painful 83-82 overtime loss to UP three days ago where the Falcons’ collapsed.
Soulemane Chabi Yo had 17 points and 15 rebounds for UST, which blew a 61-48 advantage in the fourth quarter and went scoreless in the last three minutes.