Ingrid Sewa isn’t enough to make Adamson a contender just yet

Ingrid is a Scandinavian name for girls that means “beautiful” or “beloved.” What prompted Ingrid Sewa's parents to gift him with this sobriquet perhaps we will never know.

But there is nothing effete about the Cameroonian Adamson center. Sewa is a marvelous physical specimen who contributed thirteen points to the Falcons against UST last Saturday. He has the skills to be truly beloved by the fans of the navy blue.

Unfortunately all of Sewa's output came in the first half, as the center's influence vanished in the last twenty minutes. The Tigers outscored ADU 41 to 28 in the final two quarters to go 2-0 with a 67-62 triumph.

“Nanawa silang ibigay yung bola kay Sewa” intoned UST coach Pido Jarencio, perhaps careful not to go the “sawa-Sewa” route for fear of being too obvious.

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In the last three minutes and with Adamson furiously trying to make a game of it, Falcons chief Leo Austria sat Sewa, sparking memories of Austin Manyara riding the pine for that team during crucial moments a few years past.

“Ingrid” is also the name of a Muppet Show character, a monster inkeeper. Ingrid the muppet is a recurring character in the show. Will Sewa's presence be just as infrequent when the chips are down?

But there is a big upside to the big fella. Although Sewa is a diamond of the uncut variety, has no shortage of facets in his game.

Sewa may be a big, burly guy, but near the basket he can have the touch of a surgeon. With two minutes to go in the second quarter he brought Adamson a 31-22 lead with a gorgeous reverse layup off the back door.

Minutes earlier he had shown his power game with a thunderous jam.

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Sewa also did a number on Karim Abdul, holding the UST center to a palty one of eight shooting in the first half, for a ghastly 12.5% clip in that 20-minute span.

In the first quarter he blocked Abdul, only for the Cameroonian to follow up with a putback.

In one telling play in the third quarter, Abdul pulled up for a jumper with Sewa in front of him. You could tell there was a whiff of intimidation in the air. The jumper missed.

Adamson led 34-26 at the half, but the third quarter brought a second wind for Santo Tomas.

UST upped the tempo of the game, unleashed a nasty press on Adamson, and forced turnovers. Adamson ended up committing 22 turnovers against 16 for the Tigers. The 19-7 third quarter score buried Adamson for good.

Adamson kept it close in the end with three point heroics from Celedonio Trollano and Roider Cabrera, but in reality it was all just window-dressing.

Sewa was scoreless and rather invisible in the second half, muffing a very makeable undergoal stab early in the fourth quarter.

“Full court press kami at zone defense, kaya 'di effective si Sewa” said Jarencio.

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UST also thrived thanks to balanced scoring from Kevin Ferrer, Jeric Teng, Clark Bautista, Aljon Mariano, and Ed Daquioag, who all contributed seven points or more.

The Growling Tigers were outrebounded 52 to 39 but with the Soaring Falcons only shooting 34% from the field, that stat didn't hurt them too much.

While UST bristled with weapons, Adamson mostly relied on Jericho Cruz and Sewa. Harry Petilos was ineffective from beyond the arc, hitting only one of six attempts. Adamson tried making a dent from downtown, attempting 24 treys against fourteen by UST, but only six of the Falcon three bombs hit the target, half of them in the last minutes of the contest.

Adamson is 1-1 and may have a shot at sneaking into the Final Four, but one must think that the 2011 team with Alex Nuyles, which blew twice-to-beat against FEU, was their last real shot at glory.

A UAAP Men's Basketball title hasn't come to San Marcelino since 1978 (their only championship.) This may not be the year for that drought to end, but with Sewa manning the five spot, there is some hope for the Falcon faithful in coming seasons.

Follow Bob on Twitter @bhobg333.