By Sherlyn Paleg
SAN JUAN, MM -- The Adamson Soaring Falcons broke the UP Fighting Maroons' heart for the second time this season after beating them, 80-72, on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Adamson is now in solo second place with an 8-2 record in the standings, while UP, despite a huge fourth quarter run that made things interesting, went down to 5-6, tied with the FEU Tamaraws for joint fifth.
The Fighting Maroons went on a great run in the final frame by cutting the lead down to four, but Sean Manganti who knocked down the game-winner in their first meeting, threw a cold-blooded triple that served as a dagger.
Jerrick Ahanmisi led the Soaring Falcons with 27 points and 6 rebounds while rookie Jerom Lastimosa rendered 14 points, a career-high, with 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
Bright Akhuetie commanded the Fighting Maroons with 24 points and 4 steals while Juan Gomez de Liaño contributed 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals.
The Soaring Falcons will face their fellow league leader Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, November 4, 4 p.m., at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, while UP Fighting Maroons will try to gain victory and keep their final four hope on Saturday, November 3, 4 p.m., at the same venue.
The Scores:
AdU 80 - Ahanmisi 24, Lastimosa 14, Sarr 12, Manganti 10, Catapusan 5, V. Magbuhos 4, Camacho 3, Mojica 3, Pingoy 3, Bernardo 2, Zaldivar 0
UP 72 - Akhuetie 24, Ju. Gomez de Liaño 15, Desiderio 13, Manzo 8, Ja. Gomez de Liaño 5, Vito 5, Jaboneta 2, Dario 0, Gozum 0, Lim 0, Prado 0
Quarter scores: 12-12, 34-26, 67-48,80-72
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