UP breaks losing streak, gets back against AdU

The UP Fighting Maroons improve their season standing to 3 wins after exacting revenge against the Adamson Falcons in a slow and tiring game 89-84. Dennis Jerome Acosta/Dugout Philippines


by Emy Manipol

Pasay City, MM - Just days after bowing down to then win-less Adamson Falcons team, the University of Philippines Fighting Maroons improve their season standing to 3 wins after exacting revenge to the Falcons in a slow and tiring game 89-84.

It almost took three hours for the Maroons to get rid of the Falcons in a game decorated by fouls and a lot of free throw shooting from both squads. 

UP had a fiery squad led by Henry Asilum who took it strong to the Adamson defense. AdU did not let UP break the game wide open and kept the score close as the Falcons were fortunate to be connecting from down town. The 1st quarter ended with UP on top only by three points, 19-16.

Usually reliable Adamson Pape Sarr had a miserable shooting all throughout game but still managed to register a double-double outing at the end of the game care of his good free throw shooting.

Heading towards the end of the second period, the Maroons added to their lead and capitalized on the Falcon’s turnovers- 44-36. 

Adamson showed signs of life during the next quarter as they were finally able to trim down UP’s double digit lead to just one with the help of Jerome Garcia and JD Tungcab’s conversions from rainbow country.

With momentum slowly swinging to the side of the Falcons, an unsportsmanlike foul was whistled against AdU’s Ng and gave UP the chance to get back to their grove. 

The last two minutes of the final canto were tension filled as players from both teams including the coaches were starting to feel the pressure of the game.

A technical foul was even slapped to UP’ head coach Rensy Bajar after an encounter with Garcia. Three of UP’s big men also fouled out of the game leaving the UP front line undersized. 

The UP win was sealed after Manuel, Asylum and Dario converted their shots from the charity stripe.

The good ball sharing of the Maroons was noticeable during the entirety of the match as it was revealed during the game that the boys of UP had a team building to build their court chemistry.

Henry Asilum and Jett Manuel also bounced back from their poor game last outing against Adamson as the two combined for 35 points. Asilum topped scored for UP with 19 followed by Manuel’s 16. 

Box Scores: 

UP (89) - Asilum 19, Manuel 16, Dario 14, Amar 13, Desiderio 8, Longa 8, Juruena 7, Harris 2, Moralde 2, Kone 0, Jaboneta 0, Lim 0, Vito 0. 

Adamson (84) – Sarr 18, Garcia J. 12, Margallo 11, Nalos 8, Ng 8, Capote 7, Escalambre 5, Garcia C. 5, Tungcab 5, Polican 3, Ochea 2, Camacho 0.

Quarterscores: 19-16, 44-36, 68-56, 89-84

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