Adamon’s Jerom Lastimosa. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Adamson survived a hard-fighting Far Eastern University side, 75-70, to keep its hopes for a Final Four spot alive on Wednesday night at the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
Jerom Lastimosa fired 23 points after knocking down five of his eight three-point attempts as the Falcons weathered a late charge by the Tamaraws after leading by as many as 25 points early on.
The Falcons picked up their second consecutive victory and sixth overall to find themselves locked in a tie for fourth place with the La Salle Green Archers (6-6).
Tamaraws refused to be cowed despite falling into a deep 27-4 ravine in the first quarter.
Through the efforts of Kyle Bautista and Cholo Anonuevo along with Bryan Sajonia, the Tamaraws came within eight points on several occasions, but faltered in the end.
Dropping their ninth game after 13 outings, the Tamaraws will be out of the Final Four picture for the first first time after eight seasons.
Lenda Douanga powered his way to 18 points and Cedrick Manzano had 10 points and 13 boards for the Falcons, who also squeezed out a couple of heroic acts from JM Sabandal and Joaquin Jaymalin in fending off the Tamaraws.
The Scores
ADAMSON 75 — Lastimosa 23, Douanga 18, Manzano 10, Sabandal 6, Colonia 4, Hanapi 3, Yerro 3, Jaymalin 3, Torres 2, Barasi 2, Manlapaz 1, Barcelona 0, Flowers 0, Fuentebella 0, W. Magbuhos 0.
FEU 70 — Bautista 14, Anonuevo 13, Sajonia 11, Alforque 8, Sleat 5, Gonzales 5, Torres 4, Tchuente 4, Ona 4, Celzo 2, Bagunu 0, Gravera 0, Songcuya 0.
Quarters: 27-4, 39-30, 58-46, 75-70.