FILE – UE’s Nikko Paranada. FILOIL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Executing its defensive scheme to perfection, University of the East smothered Adamson in a key second quarter en route to a 70-63 win in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
The Red Warriors shook off a slow start and outscored the Falcons, 28-3, behind their stingy defense to grab a 42-21 lead at the half.
“We credit it to our defense, we call it the “A” defense… I got it under the tutelage of coach Franz that when we do our full-court defense, we call it that,” said UE coach Jack Santiago, who served as a longtime assistant to multi-titled mentor Franz Pumaren during their days with La Salle, on Tuesday at San Juan Arena.
Paranada brothers, Kyle and Nikko scored 14 and 10 points, respectively for UE, which improved to 3-4 in Group A.
Kyle Paranada scored five straight points late in the third quarter after the Falcons trimmed the Warriors’ advantage to 11.
Adamson managed to pull within single digits in the fourth period but it was a case of too little too late as the Falcons fell to 3-2.