UAAP: Adamson stuns Ateneo behind Vince Magbuhos’ game-winner

Vince Magbuhos celebrates the winner that lifts Adamson past Ateneo in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Birthday boy Vince Magbuhos drilled the buzzer-beating, game-winning triple in overtime to lead Adamson past Ateneo, 74-71, in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Magbuhos wanted to celebrate his 24th birthday with a victory, and he found a way to grant his own wish when he got the ball with 3.3 seconds left and nailed the triple off the glass for the Soaring Falcons’ second straight win in three games.

“I had a lot of thoughts in my mind like what should I do when I receive the ball? We weren’t able to execute the play but when I got the ball from a broken play I had to dribble it and shoot it. Thank you, Lord, it went in,” said Magbuhos in Filipino after he finished with 11 points on 3-of-5 three-point shooting to go with three rebounds and three assists. 

“I prayed early this morning and wished to gift me with a win today. My prayers were answered.”

ADAMSON WINS! 🐦

Vince Magbuhos knocks down the game-winning triple to give Adamson the 74-71 win against Ateneo at the buzzer. #UAAPSeason86 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/mnKlNop1wU

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) October 7, 2023

Adamson beat Ateneo for the first time since 2018 when Franz Pumaren was still coaching the Falcons, who already had Magbuhos at that time.

“When Vince shot the ball. I asked the Lord to reward him because it’s his birthday. So this game is really for birthday boy Vince,” said Adamson coach Nash Racela whose assistant Ryan Betia also celebrated his birthday days ago.

Cedrick Manzano, once again, imposed his will underneath with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, while Eli Ramos, who committed to Ateneo in 2019, delivered 12 points, three assists, and two steals for Adamson.

“When the game went into overtime, I huddled the boys and told them, we just came from an overtime game, so we are more experienced than them when it comes to overtime games. It’s for us to take it. Before the game, part of our huddle, I told them the Lord’s mercies are new every day,” Racela said. “I know how Ateneo played really really well the last time they played La Salle, and today is a different day. It’s nice that our players responded today. Not so much in the first half, especially the first quarter. But it was so nice to see the guys coming off the bench contribute when the other guys are not doing good.”

Adamson’s Cedrick Manzano. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Adamson fought back from an 18-point deficit in the first half after pouring in 19 points in the third quarter to cut it down to just five 53-48, heading to the final period.

The Falcons erased a 69-62 deficit as Ramos sparked a 7-0 run capped by Monti Montebon’s game-tying corner trey, 69-all, with 29 seconds left in the regulation. The shot clock expired with Chris Koon holding the ball as the Blue Eagles were forced to play overtime.

Both teams only scored two points each in extra regulation before Magbuhos’ game-winner.

Ateneo slid to a 1-2 record with Mason Amos leading the way with 12 points and six rebounds. Kai Ballungay had 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Koon and Lebron Nieto added nine markers, while Joseph Obasa had eight points and 13 rebounds.

Adamson eyes its third straight win against La Salle on Wednesday, 5 p.m., at Mall of Asia Arena, while Ateneo seeks to bounce back against the University of the East at 1 p.m.

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The scores:

AdU (74) – Ramos 12, Manzano 12, Magbuhos 11, Hanapi 9, Yerro 8, Calisay 5, Montebon 5, Colonia 4, Anabo 3, Erolon 3, Sabandal 2, Ojarikre 0, Barasi 0

Ateneo (71) – Amos 12, Ballungay 10, Koon 9, Nieto 9, Obasa 8, Brown 6, Bongo 6, Gomez 6, Espinosa 2, Credo 2, Quitevis 1, Chiu 0, Lazaro 0

Quarterscores: 9-25, 29-44, 48-53, 69-69, 74-71