Saving the best for last: Adamson beats UP to avoid winless season

The Adamson University Falcons finally got a win to close out their UAAP season as they defeated the University of the Philippines, 67-63, Tuesday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Falcons battled back from a double-digit deficit in the first quarter. They were able to build a double-digit lead of their own in the fourth quarter but they loosened their grip on the game to allow one last UP comeback bid.

The Maroons had one last shot to tie the game or win it with a three but their offense took too long to develop. Down 65-63, with 20 seconds still remaining, UP ran the clock down but all they got was a difficult corner triple attempt from Mikee Reyes.

With the win, the Falcons avoided a winless season as they tied UP at the bottom with identical 1-13 win-loss records.

Celedonio Trollano led the Falcons again with 21 points and 12 rebounds, scoring six points in the fourth period.

Diego Dario scored a career-high13 points for UP while Kyles Lao added 11 points. Moriah Gingerich chipped in 10 points and Mikee Reyes added nine.

UP had another searing start against the Falcons as they ended the first 10 minutes holding a 24-12 advantage.

However, they were struck by an early tragedy as Henri Asilum exited the game after dislocating his shoulder. The point guard was later wheeled out of the arena after getting first aid from his team’s physical therapists.

The Falcons limited the Maroons to only six points in the second quarter as they sliced the deficit down to five points, 30-25, at the half.

Adamson finally pulled even at the 7:02 mark of the third quarter, 32-all, after a basket from Don Trollano. However, two free throws from JR Gallarza swung the game back to UP’s favor.

The Falcons then heated up from the field led by Tollano and Jansen Rios as they took a 50-45 lead heading into the final quarter of the season for both squads.

Adamson started the fourth quarter with a 5-0 run to build a double-digit lead at 55-45.

Mark Juruena was then called for an unsportsmanlike foul, leading to two free throws from Dawn Ochea and a 12-point Adamson lead. Gallarza finally halted Adamson’s 7-0 run and scored UP’s first two points of the fourth with free throws at the 7:53 mark.

Mikee Reyes stepped back into the game and he immediately did damage as he spearheaded an 8-0 run to cut Adamson’s lead down to four points at 59-55.

 UP got even closer with 1:21 left in the game as Diego Dario nailed a triple to cut Adamson’s lead down to two points at 63-61, The Maroons completed a stop in the other end leading to two free throws from Dario to knot the score at 63-all.

However, UP’s defense broke down allowing Ochea to scored an easy basket on the other end to give the lead back to Adamson, 65-63, with only 57 seconds left in the game.

The Main Man: Trollano has been the sole bright spot for the Falcons this year. He played another good game against UP and his efforts finally amounted to a victory.

Honorable Mentions: Rios backed up Trollano with 11 points. Their fellow senior Ryan Monteclaro also played a good game with seven points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Game Turning Point: With the game on the line, Adamson’s defense held up. Holding a precarious two-point lead with 20 seconds left, the Falcons eliminated all possible options for the Maroons, forcing them to settle for a difficult long shot. Alex Inigo sealed their win with two free throws with a second left in the season for both teams.

He Said It:

Adamson head coach Kenneth Duremdes: This is for the three guys who will graduate this year, Trollano, Rios, and Monteclaro. (Regarding a bonfire) Ang problema sa Adamson wala kaming puno. This victory is for all the supporters and students involved in this program.

The scores:

Adamson 67: Trollano 21, Rios 11, Ochea 9, Monteclaro 7, Polican 5, Villanueva 5, Inigo 4, Pedrosa 3, Barrera 2, Garcia 0, Nalos 0, Aquino 0, Baytan 0.

UP 63: Dario 13, Lao 11, Gingerich 10, Reyes 9, Moralde 8, Gallarza 7, Juruena 3, Asilum 2, Vito 0, Harris 0.

Quarters: 12-24, 25-30, 50-45, 67-63.