Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Adamson put the clamps on National U in the final quarter to come away with a 78-52 victory and stay within striking distance of the Top 4 in UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
Jerrick Ahanmisi led a balanced offensive with 15 points, but it was the Falcons’ airtight defense in the final period that helped them end a four-game slide and hike their record to 4-6.
Rookie AP Manlapaz scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, while Simon Camacho had 13 points and six rebounds for Adamson, which outscored NU, 24-6, in the fourth quarter.
“We needed this win,” said Adamson coach Franz Pumaren. “Every game for us now is important. The bench really stepped up.”
Adamson drew 40 points from its reserves with Jerom Lastimosa also contributing 10 points and issuing nine assists. Lenda Douanga finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds.
Pumaren, who continued to call the shots even after undergoing surgery to remove kidney stones last Tuesday, felt the Falcons showed some of their old, mean form in the loss to Ateneo last Wednesday.
“The effort was there, the intensity was there, but we just fell short,” he said. “It’s a small step on our part to make sure that we continue to challenge for a spot in the playoffs.”
Dave Ildefonso picked up 15 points and Issa Gaye chipped in 14 points, but the Bulldogs still fell to the brink of elimination following their eighth loss in 10 games.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 72 — Ahanmisi 15, Manlapaz 14, Camacho 13, Douanga 11, Lastimosa 10, Chauca 3, Yerro 3, Sabandal 2, Fermin 1, Bernardo 0, Magbuhos 0, Mojica 0.
NU 53 — D. Ildefonso 15, Gaye 14, Clemente 10, Gallego 7, S. Ildefonso 2, Minerva 2, Rangel 2, Oczon 1, Diputado 0, Galinato 0, Joson 0, Malonzo 0, Mosqueda 0, Yu 0.
Quarters: 8-12, 32-34, 48-47, 72-53.
POST-GAME INTERVIEW