Streaks are meant to be broken.
Adamson coach Franz Pumaren said this after the Far Eastern University Tamaraws survived a rally and repulsed the Falcons in overtime, 88-85, Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Streaks are meant to be broken. I guess the pressure is not with the boys right now,” said Pumaren as the Falcons tasted their first loss after a string of five wins in the 81st University Athletic Athletic Association of the Philippines men's basketball tournament.
The Falcons (5-1) now share the lead with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, with the Tams in second at 4-2.
Arvin Tolentino, who showed the way for the Falcons with 19 points, but he cheered from the sidelines in the closing minutes of regulation as he was slapped a disqualifying foul for hitting Sean Manganti in the face with his left arm in the last 3:43 of regulation.
Without him, the Tams needed an extra period to fight off the Falcons.
“The mindset we should have is we cannot outscore the other team. We’re winning because of our defense. We’re not that type of a swashbuckling team who blows teams away,” said Pumaren.
Hubert Cani struck with 14 points for the Tams, who picked up their fourth win in six matches, climbing to fourth.
Pumaren said after they established a five-game winning streak this season that many teams are now preparing for them.
And they will have to be ready to meet the La Salle Green Archers this Saturday.