UAAP: Adamson edges UST in OT for first win

Adamson’s Ced Manzano protects the ball against UST in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson leaned on Ced Manzano and Joem Sabandal to stave off a gritty University of Santo Tomas side in overtime, 79-76, for its first win in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Sabandal took matters into his own hands, scoring seven of his nine points in the extra period to give the Falcons a 77-70 lead with 1:10 left.

Nic Cabañero kept the Growling Tigers afloat with drilled back-to-back contested triples to cut it down to just one, 77-76, with under 30 seconds remaining.

But Paul Manalang committed a costly foul before Adamson’s Monti Montebon and Manzano each hit a free throw to set the final count with 2.7 ticks to go. UST had a shot to force another OT but Migs Pangilinan missed a potential game-tying triple from near halfcourt.

“As coach Nash said, we were so lucky that we survived the game. But good thing we worked together as a team in the fourth quarter and overtime. We were able to show the team’s attitude when it comes to close games,” said Sabandal in Filipino after tallying four rebounds and six assists.

Manzano imposed his will inside the paint with 16 points, including 10 of Adamson’s last 12 points in regulation, tying the game at 66 with 46.8 seconds remaining.

Adamson’s Joem Sabandal.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“We were so happy to get this win. We don’t want to lose UST in the first round again like last year. I used that as motivation to get this win,” said Manzano referring to UST’s lone win in last year’s opener.

UST’s losing streak was extended to 15 games dating back to last season but Adamson coach Nash Racela, whose wards improved to 1-1, still credited the Tigers sans their foreign student-athlete Adama Faye due to a back injury.

“Very hard-earned [win], indeed. Credit goes to UST and coach Pido’s coaching staff. They really made it hard for us today even without their FSA. I think we were lucky that they didn’t have their FSA today because if he was there, it would’ve been a different story,” said Racela, whose squad continues to miss star guard Jerom Lastimosa due to a knee injury. “But it’s nice that we’re able to grind it out today. I think this will be the story for the whole season for us. If every game will be like this, it’s okay.”

Matt Erolon added 11 points for Adamson while Montebon, Vince Magbuhos, and Didat Hanapi had seven points each.

UST, which lost to University of the East, 80-70, on Saturday, remained winless after two games in coach Pido Jarencio’s return. Pangilinan led the Tigers with 18 points built on four triples.

Cabañero, whose layup with 2.2 seconds left extended the game to OT, had 17 points, while Angelo Crisostomo added 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Scores:

AdU (79) – Manzano 16, Erolon 11, Sabandal 9, Magbuhos 7, Hanapi 7, Montebon 7, Calisay 6, Yerro 5, Barasi 3, Ojarikre 3, Barcelona 2, Canete 2, Ramos 1, Colonia 0.

UST (76) – Pangilinan 18, Cabañero 17, Crisostomo 10, Laure 8, Manaytay 7, Ventulan 6, Manalang 4, Gesalem 3, Lazarte 2, Duremdes 1, Llemit 0, Calum 0.

 Quarterscores: 20-13, 40-36, 52-51, 68-68, 79-76