Maroons slip past Falcons, record third win

UP's Jett Manuel has more reasons to smile nowadays. 

By Ricky Manliguis

PASAY—University of the Philippines made it two wins in a row, as it sent Adamson to its second straight setback with a 70-66 win in Season LXXIX of the UAAP Wednesday at the Mall Of Asia Arena.

Just four days after its morale-boosting win over Ateneo, the Maroons woke up from a sluggish opening quarter en route to its third win in nine matches, while also sending the San Marcelino-based squad to its second loss in a row.

After AdU built up a 20-9 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes, the Katipunan dribblers got their bearings back in the second frame to outscore its rivals 21-9 and snatch the lead for good, 30-29.

They manaaged to maintain the lead thorughout the second half, even swelling it to 11, 65-54, but a 7-0 AdU rally pulled them within four.  Jett Manuel’s fade-away jumper with 25.2 seconds left gave State U breathing room, 69-63.

Over-all, the wards of Coach Bo Perasol shot 50.9 percent from the field, its best shooting game so far, and second among all teams this season. Its menacing defense, meanwhile, allowed Adamson just 5-of-13 from the three-point area (38.5%).

Three Maroons scored in double digits, led by Manuel’s 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists on 7-of-16 from the field. Paul Desiderio followed suit with 16 of his own, while rookie Javi Gomez De Liaño contributed 13 markers and six boards in his best-scoring outing so far.

 Papi Sarr paced Adamson, which tied idle National U with an even 4-4 card, with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.  But he got little support from the locals, as Robbie Manalang was the only other double-digit scorer with 10.

Jerrick Ahanmisi went scoreless on just two attempts.

Box Score:
UP 70 — Manuel 16, Desiderio 16, Gomez De Liano 13, Moralde 5, Lim 4, Vito 4, Harris 4, Romero 4, Prado 2, Webb 2, Dario 0, Espanola 0, Jaboneta 0, Lao 0, Asilum 0, Longa 0.

Adamson 66 — Sarr 18, Manalang 10, Ochea 8, Paranada 8, Manganti 6, Ng 5, Espeleta 4, Pasturan 3, Mustre 2, Camacho 2, Ahanmisi 0, Bernardo 0.

Quarterscores: 9-20; 30-29; 50-44; 70-66.


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