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| Robbie Manalang and Adamson are back in the .500, while dragging UST down to 0-2. |
QUEZON CITY -- Adamson recovered from its opening day setback to get their first win of UAAP Season 80, downing UST in a wire-to-wire win 88-81, Saturday evening at the Big Dome.
Franz Pumaren's Falcons leaned on their trademark pressing defence as they force the Growling Tigers into 41 turnovers as they dragged them to 0-2 this season.
Robbie Manalang paced Adamson with 19 points, with Kurt Lojera backing him up with 16.
Jeepy Faundo's 21 markers went down the drain, with Marvin Lee pitching in 14 but turned the ball over nine times as Boy Sablan and the Tigers lost for the sixth straight time dating back to last season.
Adamson came flying to start the game, leading the opening period by as much as 10 on a 7-0 run to establish a 24-16 lead.
The Falcons continued their dominance to establish the largest lead at 15, but UST rallied back to end the half only trailing by 6, 45-39 when Marvin Lee hit the triple at the buzzer.
But a thunderous poster by freshman Tyrus Hill to start the second half all but ended the chances of the Tigers to comeback, as UST came close to just three points at 57-54 but Adamson responded with a 13-4 run to end the quarter with a 12-point edge.
In the payoff period, it was all a mere formality for Adamson as they lead as much as 14 to get into .500 for the tournament.
THE SCORES
Adamson 88 -- Manalang 19, Lojera 16, Manganti 11, Sarr 10, Pingoy 9, Ahanmisi 8, Espeleta 5, Camacho 4, Hill 3, Bernardo 2, Ochea 1
UST 81 -- Faundo 21, Lee 14, Sta. Ana 14, Akomo 10, Arana 9, Basibas 7, De Guzman 2, Kwawukumey 2, Lorenzana 2
Quarter scores: 24-16, 45-39, 70-58, 88-81
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