UP Dominates Adamson, 77-51

University of the Philippines vented its ire on Adamson University, 77-51, to open the second round of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament on a high note at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Wednesday.

Ahead by just six after the first, the Fighting Maroons pulled away with a 23-9 second quarter to establish a 20-point lead at the half, 40-20.

Then UP countered every Soaring Falcons run the rest of the game for its seventh win in eight games to stay tied with National University atop the standings.

“This was a good bounce back win for us coming off a loss. One thing that Coach Gold emphasized even from the start of the season is to always keep pounding which means we just continue to build yung mga gusto namin maimprove,” said Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon.

Soaring Falcon Jerom Lastimosa made his debut when he entered the court at the 2:10 mark of the first quarter. His game was cut short though after hitting knees with Gerry Abadiano while attempting a behind-the-back dribble with 5:19 left in the third period as Lastimosa was helped to the dugout.

Lastimosa finished with three points, two rebounds, one block, and two turnovers in eight minutes and 18 seconds.

Malick Diouf and Reyland Torres led UP in scoring with 12 points apiece with the reigning MVP also grabbing 14 rebounds and recording three blocks.

Francis Lopez also showed his shooting from beyond the arc with three conversions to finish with 11 points and seven rebounds.

“Sabi nga palagi sa amin ni Coach Gold, life goes on. After nung game namin sa Ateneo dapat mag move on agad kami buti nakabawi kami ngayon,” said Janjan Felicilda, who had a complete game of seven points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals.

The Fighting Maroons’ next game will be on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum against Ateneo de Manila University anew a week after their epic clash to end the first round.

Nobody cracked double digits for the Soaring Falcons, who were led by Joshua Yerro and Eli Ramos’ seven points apiece.

Adamson fell to its third straight loss to drop to 3-5, tied with Far Eastern University, which it will face next on Sunday, a game behind fourth-running Ateneo.

The Scores:

UP 77 – Torres 12, Diouf 12, Lopez 11, Alarcon 9, Torculas 7, Felicilda 7, Gonzales 7, Briones 3, Belmonte 3, Cansino 3, Abadiano 2, Alter 1, Cagulangan 0, Gagate 0, Pablo 0.

AdU 51 – Yerro 7, Ramos 7, Montebon 6, Ojarikre 6, Calisay 6, Canete 4, Lastimosa 3, Manzano 3, Anabo 3, Magbuhos 2, Colonia 2, Sabandal 2, Erolon 0, Barcelona 0, Hanapi 0, Barasi 0.

Photo and article from UAAP Media