The Adamson Falcons pulled off a major assault in the third quarter and frustrated the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 96-83, yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Soaring Falcons’ big explosion took a toll on the Growling Tigers in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
Two big men from the Growling Tigers, Enrique Caunan Jr. and Germy Mahinay, went out on five fouls during Adamson’s big run.
Then, scoring ace CJ Cansino was sidelined by a sprained ankle midway in the third period. Adamson proved unstoppable under the boards and posted a commanding 17-point advantage.
Trailing 39-40 at halftime, the Falcons unleashed a 15-0 blast at the start of the third period, with Simon Camacho and Jerrick Ahanmisi showing the way.
Sean Manganti led with 21 points for the Soaring Falcons, who solidified their grip on the no. 2 seeding in the Final Four semifinals.
Simon Camacho had 15 points and Ahanmisi finished with 13 points for the Falcons, who are now headed for their third straight Final Four appearance.
“Reaching the Final Four is an achievement. Hopefully, we can improve on our finish this year,” said Pumaren.
The Growling Tigers, who drew 21 points from Henri Subido, have a 5-7 win-loss card, and missed their chance of catching up with the Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines (6-6).
FEU and UP are in a race for the last seat to the Final Four.
Marvin Lee knocked in 10 of 18 points in the second period for UST as they led 40-39 at halftime.
The Falcons went on to move away, 68-52, in the last 1:08 of the third off Ahanmisi’s two triples.
Ahanmisi hit another trey with 8:22 to go in the fourth to give Adamson their biggest lead, 75-58.
Scores:
ADAMSON 96—Manganti 22, Camacho 15, Ahanmisi 13, Sarr 11, Lastimosa 10, Pingoy 9, Mojica 8, Mabuhos 4, Catapusan 2, Bernardo 2, Zaldivar 0, Espeleta 0.
UST 83—Subido 21, Lee 18, Cansino 17, Huang 8, Mahinay 8, Zamora 7, Bataller 2, Caunan 2, Marcos 0.
Quarter scores: 21-20, 39-40, 70-58, 96-83.