Falcons overcome NU Bulldogs to grab solo 2nd place

In their toughest test yet, the Adamson Soaring Falcons found the much-needed production from their back-up players to outlast the National University Bulldogs, 64-51, last September 21

, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay city.

Big man Papi Sarr carried most of the offensive load as he finished with 13 points and 17 rebounds. Frederick Tungcab and Sean Manganti added 11 and nine points, respectively. However, it was back-up center Kristian Bernardo who gave Adamson the necessary spark to pull away from the feist Bulldogs.

"He was the game-changer there. He scored big baskets down the stretch," Coach Franz Pumaren said.

Bernardo provided quality minutes for Adamson as he scored seven in Adamson's crucial 9-4 run, which gave Adamson a 53-49 breathing room late in the fourth.

"Coming into this game, people may scout us as just an Ahanmisi-Manalang-Sarr team. But this time around, i think the bench contributed really well,"said Coach Pumaren.

Adamson's bench outscored the starters 34-30.

" I guess we're slowly showing a little bit of maturity and character, " Pumaren said. Though the game ended in a double digit win for Adamson, the match was neck-and-neck all throughout with neither team being able to establish a comfortable lead.

After being hounded by multiple turnovers, Adamson showed good adjustments in taking care of the ball at the second half. However, the Falcons then faced another puzzle as Sarr struggled with foul trouble midway in the third period. Bulldog center Alfred Aroga gladly took advantage, helping NU stay close to Adamson at the end of the third period, 40-42.

With Adamson clinging to a 44-43 lead, Aroga and the rest of NU's frontcourt were dominating the paint in Sarr's absence early in the fourth period. However, the Falcons, led by Bernardo's heroics, were able to hold on to their lead. Jerrick Ahanmisi converted a jumper plus a foul to give Adamson a 56-51 cushion with two minutes left in the game.

With Sarr again subbed in the game, Adamson's defense shut down NU's hopes for a comeback, forcing the Bulldogs to four turnovers within the last two minutes of the game. Manganti drilled the nail in the coffin with a baseline jumper, putting Adamson out of reach, 59-51,with only 45 ticks left.

"They made a run. We didn't run away from the challenge. We kept our poise," Pumaren said after the game.

Adamson, which now has a 3-1 record, will next face the top-ranked DLSU Green Archers (4-0) this Saturday at 2pm still at the MOA Arena.

BOX SCORES

ADAMSON 64 – Sarr 13, Tungcab 11, Manganti 9, Ahanmisi 8, Bernardo 7, Mustre 5, Espeleta 4, Ochea 3, Manalang 2, Camacho 2, Pasturan 0, Ng 0, Paranada 0, Chua 0

NU 51 – Aroga 17, Salem 9, Salim 7, Mosqueda 4, Morido 4, Diputado C 3, Pate 3, Gallego 2, Sinclair 2, Alejandro 0, Diputado R 0, Abatayo 0, Aquino 0, Rangel 0, Yu 0

QUARTER SCORES: 17-13, 29-28, 42-40, 64-51