Franz Pumaren hopes win vs UST a learning experience to win close games

Franz Pumaren hopes that their close shave against UST will be a lesson for them in the next three games.

By Kevin Estrada

PASAY -- Adamson mentor Franz Pumaren admits that they had a hard time playing against an already eliminated UST before eking out a close win Wednesday evening.

[Related Story: Adamson keeps UST winless after surviving seesaw battle]

"First of all, it's so hard to play a team like UST, especially there's no more pressure on them," Pumaren said after the game.

He added that he has nothing against the already eliminated Tigers, saying that the league doormats gave them a huge scare in the entire game.

"They're just playing with a free-flowing mind. There's no need for them to push themselves."

With the game swinging momentums like a see-saw, he hopes that their win will be a test for their mental fortitude in the final three games to close out the regular season, starting with NU on Sunday.

"I have to look at the other side of the coin. This is a test for us. At least a learning experience for us on how to win close games," said the five-time UAAP champion, in which he added that the Adamson fans were jittery when UST banged on the door especially in the payoff period.

"At least we were able to prove something that despite of us flirting with disaster, we still survived this one."

Pumaren later conceded that the game was tight due to UST's rebounding advantage, knowing before the game that the Tigers had the best record on the boards despite having an atrocious 0-11 card.

"I'm really disappointed with the big guys. Each and everyone should start doing their role. That's why the game was so close because we gave up so many offensive rebounds."

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