Out-of-it-all Falcons snap losing streak
The Adamson Falcons aren’t the tallest team in the UAAP, but in Rodney Brondial and Eric Camson, they have two of the best offensive rebounders. And that was more than enough to help the Falcons end a six-game losing streak.
Crashing the offensive boards with impunity against an overmatched UP frontline, the Falcons turned back the Fighting Maroons, 75-70, in UAAP men’s basketball action at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Brondial had 15 points and 17 rebounds, including 11 offensive, while Camson had a team-high 19 points to go along with 14 rebounds as the Falcons scored 21 second-chance points, many of them coming in crucial stretches of the game.
From a close 35-31 lead at halftime, the Falcons slowly took control of the game in the second, putting up leads of as large as 11 points and holding off the Maroons’ repeated rallies. It was 66-55 when UP launched one last run, coming to within 67-72 with less than a minute left off a basket by Chris Ball.
But Ryan Monteclaro and Brondial combined for three free throws to seal the deal for Adamson, whose last victory, ironically, was against UP last July 29. In between, the Falcons lost six close games, and went winless for over a month. It was an unenviable streak not lost on Coach Leo Austria.
“Nice to see you again!” was the first thing Austria uttered upon entering the press room for the standard post-game interview of the winning coach. “Yung last six losses namin, very tight din. Sa last few minutes kami natatalo. Unfortunately, di napupunta breaks sa amin.”
And although his team officially out of the running for a slot in the Final four, the amiable coach said he would use their remaining games to prepare his players for next season.
“Kahit anong mangyayari, lalaban kami. Baka ang maging role namin, maging spoiler sa mga team sa taas.
Our goal every game is to show our system. I think it's a good thing na nanalo kami dahil makakatulong ito sa amin.”
Austria said their last four games will serve as a “try-out” for his players, and he is expecting all of them to give their all despite them being eliminated already.
“If they want to be part of the lineup next year, kailangan magpakitang-gilas sila,” he noted.
“I'm sure next year will be a better season. Papasok na yung malaki namin sa #5. Brondial is playing well sa no. 5 (center). What more sa no. 4 (power forward)?”
Jericho Cruz added 17 points for the Falcons, while Alvin Padilla and Jett Manuel had 12 apiece to lead the Maroons, who dropped to 1-8.
National University’s win over University of the East earlier in the day officially eliminated Adamson, UP and UE, since NU and La Salle, both currently with six wins still have to meet in the second round, thereby ensuring that at least one of them will reach seven wins.
