Nothing seems to be stopping the Adamson University Soaring Falcons Men’s Basketball team in the 81st season of United Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) as they had a clear advantage against the University of the East Red Warriors, handing them a loss and advancing in the standings, going two wins and zero losses (2-0).
The Falcons who conquered, in what is commonly dubbed “the Battle of the Birds”, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in their first game of the season, continues the excitement making fellow klasmeyts loud and proud. The game was streamed live at the ST Quadrangle and garnered an enormous viewing by students and staff alike with cheers that felt like they were in the SM Mall Of Asia Arena itself.
Proudly leading the charge were Papi Sarr, Jerrick Ahanmisi, and Sean Manganti with the full court press executed perfectly as envisioned by Coach Franz Pumaren.
Adamson’s Sean Manganti, Papi Sarr, along with Jerom Lastimosa’s early points warmed up the fast-paced plays of the Falcons. The second quarter’s offense was stirred towards Ahanmisi as he contributed 13 points, scoring, and slashing to the basket; giving various UE players foul trouble which lasted the whole game.
And by halftime, the Falcons found themselves with the lead by 42 points while the Red Warriors have 32. The Falcons’ leading scorers were Jerrick Ahanmisi with 13, Papi Sarr with 7, and Sean Manganti with a rather quiet 5 points as they start the 2nd half.
However, that could not be said for the rival team, as the Red Warriors’ Alvin Pasaol ended the 1st half with 11 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 4/11 from the field. Some help were from Jason Varilla and Jason Strait with perfect shooting, making 100% of their shots for a combined 14 points.
The third quarter was where the Falcons dug their talons deep into the Red Warrior with highlight worthy plays coming from Manganti and Sarr’s stellar defense. Most notably the steal that lead to a surging slam-dunk by Manganti, giving the Falcons a much needed boost in energy. Another hustle play came from Jerom Lastimosa as he spins past defenders to get an assist.
The third period could have been easily called “Manganti’s time”, answering the opposition with points after points as well as drawing fouls from different players.
UE’s Pasaol had fought with vigor but was just out hustled by Sarr, drawing four fouls on occasion. However, the victims of foul trouble were four other players from the Red Warriors, most notably Wilson Bartolome fouling out; Bartolome tallied 7 points and 4 rebounds.
The game was a clear shutdown as the Soaring Falcons conquered the Red Warriors. As Sarr’s powerful 15 points and 21 rebounds double-double led the way. Manganti also scored a career high 27 points while Jerrick Ahanmisi tallied 17 points.
The Falcons showed that even though you struggle scoring, you can always make up for it with defense and heart.
