Jerrick Ahanmisi led the Soaring Falcons with 21 points after struggling against the winless UST Growling Tigers. |
PASAY CITY -- Adamson University boosted its hopes for a twice to beat in a hard way, keeping UST winless with a 75-70 thriller Wednesday evening at the MOA Arena.
Both the Falcons and Growling Tigers engage in a see-saw battle before the former kept their cool in the latter stages to improve to 7-4, just two games behind La Salle.
Jerrick Ahanmisi fired eight of the game-high 21 points in the final period for Franz Pumaren, as they become the fourth team to sweep its season series with UST.
With seven deadlocks and 16 lead changes, neither side lead by more than seven points, a proof of the close nature of the game.
Reggie Basibas fired 17 for the Growling Tigers who continued their humiliating season with their 11th straight defeat.
Both teams went smoking at the opening tip, as they went through three deadlocks and eight lead changes until Adamson came out on top by three at the end of the first.
The lead saw itself changed ownership once again several times in the second, but the Falcons hold fort and kept a four point cushion at the break.
But UST fought back in the third, unleashing an 9-0 run to grab a one point lead, 49-48.
The dogfight then continued in the final frame when Adamson built an early six-point cushion, but Basibas then made it a one point game at the final five minutes.
But Ahanmisi shut the door on the Tigers' upset chances, firing 10 of the final 14 Falcon markers to fend off the late challenge.
THE SCORES
Adamson 75 – Ahanmisi 21, Sarr 12, Pingoy 7, Ochea 7, Espeleta 6, Manganti 5, Lojera 5, Camacho 4, Manalang 3, Mustre 3, Hill 2, Bernardo 0, Zaldivar 0, Chua 0
UST 70 – Basibas 17, Faundo 12, Akomo 10, De Guzman 9, Escalambre 8, Sta. Ana 7, Caunan 4, Lee 3, Macasaet 0, Garcia 0, Romero 0
QUARTER SCORES: 22-19, 37-33, 48-49, 75-70
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