The Adamson Soaring Falcons came into the game with a league leading 5-0 record. After dismantling the National University Bulldogs, Adamson looked to continue the hot streak against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.
The game was off to a sloppy start for coach Franz Pumaren and the Falcons. Failing to convert field goal after field goal, the Pumaren lead team found its first point at the six minute mark when rookie Vince Magbuhos scored a layup plus the foul. Team captain Sean Manganti and main gunner Jerrick Ahanmisi tallied two and one three point convertion respectively. Adamson lead 18-16 at the end of the first.
Things got heated at the start of the second quarter. Garnering ticky tack fouls were bigman Keith Zaldivar for Adamson and both Kevin Eboña and Arvin Tolentino for the Tamaraws. Mid-way through the second quarter things escalated as Zaldivar got in a shot at Eboña's jaw resulting in a flagrant two which of course is an automatic disqualification under UAAP rules. Beneath the chipiness, Papi Sarr provided a safe cushion at the end of the first half with timely rebounds and a couple of lay ups. FEU lead 43-34 going into the half.
Adamson had their backs on the wall all throughout the third as the ever hungry Tamaraws looked to provide the finishing blow. Not to be outdone was Jerrick Ahanmisi as the sniper finished the quarter with 14 points with three 3-point conversion. Hubert Cani and high school standout L.J. Gonzales proved to be the torn in Adamson's side as they made timely jumpshots to protect the lead. The Tamaraws ended the third with a 67-52 lead.
Going into the fourth and presumably final quarter, all hope seemed lost for the undefeated Falcons as they stared down a 15 point lead. But not giving up without a fight were Jerom Lastimosa and Papi Sarr as the two provided the spark which ignited a 23-6 run propelling the Falcons as they tied the game 80 a piece. Key moment was when former high school standout Arvin Tolentino got slapped with his own flagrant two at the last three minute mark after what seemed like a clothesline to Sean Manganti. Adamson rallied to send the game to overtime 80-80 after a Simon Camacho stick back from Jerrick Ahanmisi's corner miss.
The physicality of the first four quarters proved to last as it carried over to the extra period as FEU's reinforcement Prince Orizu fouled out with 45 seconds remaining. Amidst the chaos was the sloppiness of the match in full display as both universities combined a sorry 2/14 on field goal attempts with the green and gold scoring both field goals. With multiple opportunities to tie the game, the Falcons failed to convert as the pesky defense of the Tamaraw guards proved to be superior. Adamson fall for the first time this season as FEU wins 88-85.
The next time the blue and white plays will be next satruday as they face the De La Salle Green Archers for the last game of the first round of season 81.
