UAAP: ‘Very weak’ start doomed Adamson vs FEU, says OJ Ojarikre

Adamson Falcons’ Mudiaga Ojarikre during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game against FEU Tamaraws. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Adamson’s OJ Ojarikre was nothing but blunt following the Soaring Falcons’ loss to Far Eastern University in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

Adamson succumbed to the Tamaraws in overtime, 76-72, at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

Both squads needed five more minutes to determine a winner but if you ask Ojarikre, they already lost in the first ten minutes.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

“We started off very weak. It’s like we were asleep. That’s why we lost this game. I think we lost this game in the first quarter,” lamented Ojarikre with Inquirer Sports.

“It’s like a wake up call because nothing is given, everything is earned. All we have to do now is build on one game after the other. The second round is very tricky. Any loss you get could be very detrimental.”

Adamson led at the end of the first quarter, 14-6, but the Soaring Falcons seemingly lost focus in the following minutes of the game allowing FEU to surge 23-11 in the second.

The Soaring Falcons also struggled mightily from the charity stripe, going 10-for-21.

READ: UAAP: Adamson hopes to pull off ‘UE-like’ run in second round

Adamson’s foreign student athlete was no slack, though, as he finished with nine points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and a steal. His FEU counterpart Mo Konateh, though, just had a better outing overall.

Konateh registered 13 points, 26 rebounds, four blocks and two steals, gaining Ojarikre’s attention after the game.

“I guess he just pushed himself, which I should have done, as well. He got a couple of buckets on me so I need to adjust myself and prepare for whatever’s coming,” Ojarikre said of Konateh.

“Everybody’s prepared for this next round and I should be too. I just have to increase whatever I’m doing and hope for a better change.”

Adamson dropped to a 3-5 card while FEU improved to 2-6, pushing both teams near each other as the Final Four race tightens.

“We’ll do the little things and prepare ourselves. Whatever we have to face we’ll face it. There’s nothing we can do but play and hope for the best or a win. if we do it together as a unit or as a team, we’ll definitely win.”