PROLIFIC shooter Jerrick Ahanmisi came up with a game-high 19 points for the Adamson Soaring Falcons.
But the defending champion Far Eastern University Tamaraws did a great job in limiting Ahanmisi’s production in the last two periods as they went on to post a 75-65 victory Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Tams focused their defense on Ahanmisi and Robbie Manalang. This allowed FEU to earn its first win in two games in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
“We put extra attention on their shooters, especially Manalang and Ahanmisi,” said FEU coach Nash Racela after the Tams bounced back from their 78-83 loss to La Salle.
The 6’1” Ahanmisi, who shot 28 points – the most by a rookie in a UAAP game – when the Falcons won over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 105-85, was held to three and four points in the third and fourth periods by the Tams’ double teaming defense on him. The Tams drew 13 points each from Axel Iñigo, a 5’9” point guard and 6’4” center-forward Richard Escoto. They outrebounded the Falcons in the first half, 29-15, to move ahead by as much as eight points.
Meanwhile, National University unleashed a scorching 14-0 run at the start of the third period and went on to get away with a 70-60 smashing of Ateneo for its second straight triumph. Jess Diputado hit 16 points to lead the big run, while Matt Salem struck with nine of his 12 points in third, helping send NU to a share of the lead with La Salle.
“It was team defense. The guys were helping each other out because they (Falcons) really had good players,” said Racela.
The Falcons held the upperhand for the last time off Sam Manganti’s basket in the last 7:01, 38-37.
But a three-point play from Prince Orizu, and baskets by Kimlee Bayquin and Escoto, before he left the court following a bad fall while driving past Papi Sarr, gave FEU a five-point edge, 43-38.
Inside plays from Raymar Jose and Ken Holmqvist eventually handed FEU a 10-point spread, 52-42, in the last 1:35 of the third.
The game was close from the start with FEU facing a 13-14 deficit at the end of the first period.
Games Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena )
2 p.m. FEU vs Ateneo
4 p.m. La Salle vs UST