Falcons succumb against towering Tamaraws for first loss

The Adamson Soaring Falcons fought until the end but FEU's might still prevailed, giving AdU its first loss of the season in a highly-physical clash with the taller and broader Tamaraws, 65-75, last September 11

, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jerrick Ahanmisi led Adamson's cause with 19 points despite the boisterous defense thrown unto him. Big man Papi Sarr followed with 11 points and seven rebounds while leading the battle against FEU's frontcourt.

The Falcons were neck-to-neck with the defending champs with neither team building a comfortable lead. But eventually, FEU slowed down the Falcons using their suffocating defense. With Adamson up by one, FEU went on a 13-2 run, 11 of which coming from points in the paint, to put Adamson into a 40-50 disadvantage with 2:21 remaining in the third.

The Falcons kept nibbling at FEU's lead and eventually getting within six, 53-59, at the 5:51 mark in the fourth. However, FEU's dominance under the rim was just to much for the Falcons. The squad from Morayta posted 42 inside points against Adamson's 20. Also, the Tamaraws hauled in 53 rebounds compared to the Falcons' 34.

Axel Iñigo and Kimlee Bayquin, both former Falcons, punished their old squad with 13 and 9 points, respectively. Big man Russel Escoto also added 13 markers to FEU, which now has a 1-1 win-loss slate.

The now 1-1 Falcons will try to bounce back in their next game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles this September 17, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Scores:

ADU: Ahanmisi-19, Sarr-11, Mustre-10, Manalang-8, Manganti-6, Espeleta-4, Camacho-3, Pasturan-2, Ochea-2

FEU: Iñigo-13, Escoto-13, Jose-11, Bayquin-9, Arong-7, Holmqvist-5, Orizu-3, Nunag-3, Tuffin-3, Dennison-2, Trinidad-2, Comboy-2, Bienes-2