By NIKOLE JAVIER
Adamson outlasted University of the East for its first win, 74-61, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
JM Sabandal tallied 16 points and four rebounds while Jerom Lastimosa added 11 markers, seven assists and four rebounds for the Falcons, who bounced back from their overtime defeat against the defending champion University of the Philippines Maroons, 87-78, last Oct. 5.
The Falcons started strong with a 23-9 run against the Warriors but the latter picked up their momentum to inch closer at the half, 38-31.
Harvey Pagsanjan gave life into the Warriors’ cause with a triple to cut the deficit further at 45-42, but Kyle Paranada couldn’t beat the buzzer and follow up with a game-tying three to conclude the third frame.
Sabandal and Lenda Douanga combined for 13 points in the last period to put to waste Calvin Payawal’s three consecutive three-pointers.
“It feels good to win. Actually, it feels good. That’s something that all teams look for at the start of each tournament. Hopefully, we could follow it up,” said Adamson head coach Nash Racela.
Luis Villegas tallied 15 points and 9 rebounds in a losing effort for UE. Calvin Payawal added 12 points after going 3-of-4 from beyond the arc but couldn’t sustain the momentum it got from snapping a 15-game losing streak since 2019 with a 76-66 win over Far Eastern University, 76-66, last Oct. 5.
ADAMSON 74 Sabandal 16, Lastimosa 11, V. Magbuhos 9, Douanga 9, Manzano 6, Hanapi 6, Colonia 5, Yerro 4, Flowers 4, Torres 2, Barcelona 2, Jaymalin 0, Barasi 0, W. Magbuhos 0, Fuentebella 0.
UE 61 Villegas 15, Payawal 12, K. Paranada 8, Pagsanjan 7, Sawat 7, Stevens 6, N. Paranada 4, Tulabut 2, Alcantara 0, Remogat 0, Antiporda 0, Beltran 0.
Quarters: 23-9, 38-31, 49-45, 74-61.
