Adamson forward Royce Mantua in UAAP Season 87.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Adamson’s Royce Mantua was one of the few bright spots in the Falcons’ Final Four loss to defending champion La Salle in UAAP Season 87.
Mantua scored a team-high 14 points in the 70-55 loss on Saturday night that ended the Falcons’ campaign.
“I gave it my all because we were fighting for something. I just wanted to show that we were still in this and to give one last fight for the seniors,” said the Fil-Australian Mantua in an interview with Inquirer Sports, shortly after their season exit.
READ: UAAP: La Salle back in Finals vs UP, ousts Adamson
“It was a good fight for me and my team but it (loss) was very unfortunate.”
The 6-foot-4 Mantua played an efficient game, making six out of his seven attempts from the field in 19 minutes off the bench.
Playing in its third straight knockout game, Adamson just didn’t have enough to delay La Salle’s return to the UAAP Finals against a familiar foe in last year’s runner-up University of the Philippines.
READ: UAAP: Adamson barges into Final Four, knocks off UE
Despite the loss, Mantua took the good with the bad and said the Falcons learned a valuable lesson and gained needed experience that would help them compete for next season led by their young core.
“It’s a very good learning experience for all of us. It was our first time going this far. There were lots of ups and downs, everything was new to us. It was hard for us to adjust in the first and second round so hopefully next year, we will make up for it.”
“A lot of core players will stay so I guess we can help the new guys coming in, share our experiences and keep teaching them the things that are needed to be done.”