By NIKOLE JAVIER
Defending champion Ateneo scored the biggest playoff winning margin after crushing Adamson, 70-48, in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With their dominant win, the Blue Eagles completed the semifinal cast and will be facing two-time championship rival and twice-to-beat UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday.
Jared Brown delivered 14 points in the first half to finish with 20 points after connecting on four of seven three-pointers.
Sean Quitevis and Mason Amos chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Falcons, who forced their way to the semifinal last season in a similar knockout match against the La Salle Green Archers, couldn’t find their rhythm this time and struggled throughout the game.
Ateneo led from the start and even held a 25-point lead in the closing period to come away with the victory.
“It was, even though on the scoreboard it didn’t look like it, a tough game. It always is with Adamson. This was reflected in the low shooting percentage. Though in the first half, we had some freedom, especially Jared, he shot the ball well, getting 14 points. In the third quarter, we knew we’re gonna have to dig deep which was reflected in our defense and in our rebounds,” head coach Baldwin said.
No Soaring Falcon breached the double-digit mark as Matt Erolon registered only nine points in their measly shooting playoff display.
Adamson star guard Jerom Lastimosa, who played the last 23 seconds of the second quarter and returned to the court with less than two minutes left in the game, made a triple to the delight of the 7,088-weekday crowd.
The scores:
ATENEO 70 – Brown 20, Quitevis 11, Amos 10, Ballungay 7, Bongo 4, Obasa 4, Koon 3, Nieto 3, Credo 3, Espinosa 3, Lazaro 2, Chiu 0, Gamber 0, Tuano 0.
ADAMSON 48 – Erolon 9, Hanapi 8, Calisay 5, Manzano 4, Yerro 4, Montebon 4, Sabandal 4, Magbuhos 3, Lastimosa 3, Barasi 2, Ramos 2, Colonia 0, Ojarikre 0, Cañete 0, Barcelona 0, Anabo 0.
Quarters: 24-15, 40-25, 56-39, 70-48.
