By Sherlyn Paleg
QUEZON CITY - Adamson big man Lenda Douanga led the Soaring Falcons into triumph with his game-winning triple as he gave NU a heartbreak in just its debut this UAAP season via an 84-83 result Saturday afternoon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"We don't think it was a lucky shot. It was a designed play," said coach Franz Pumaren on Douanga's heroic act.
"We needed that win. I guess we're searching for the right combination and I think that's the downside of having a young team and having new guys," he further declared.
The Congolese-born Douanga finished with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and one block as Adamson improved to 1-1.
Captain Simon Camacho gave assistance with his 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Valandre Chauca helped as well with his 3-of-7 clip from beyond the arc to end up with 13 points.
It was tough loss for NU, which looked determined to win as Dave Ildefonso exploded for 29 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists.
Issa Gaye nailed 16 points for the Bulldogs and John Lloyd Clemente got 11 points and 6 rebounds.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 84 -- Douanga 26, Camacho 14, Chauca 13, Lastimosa 10, Ahanmisi 10, Flowers 7, Zaldivar 2, Fermin 2, Bernardo 0, Yerro 0, Mojica 0, Manlapaz 0, Magbuhos 0.
NU 83 -- D. Ildefonso 29, Gaye 16, Clemente 11, Oczon 7, Joson 5, S. Ildefonso 5, Mosqueda 3, Minerva 2, Mangayao 2, Diputado 2, Rangel 1, Tibayan 0, Yu 0, Gallego 0.
Quarterscores: 15-21, 31-30, 54-58, 74-74, 84-83.
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