The Adamson Soaring Falcons dispatched the UST Growling Tigers, 79-71, to extend their win streak to three games in the UAAP Season 81 Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Jerrick Ahanmisi starred anew with 20 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. Vince Magbuhos also had a stellar outing with a career-high 15 points on 7-for-9 shooting, to go with four steals.
"One thing I can say is that my bench players are capable of stepping up," said ADU coach Franz Pumaren about the victory.
The Falcons' suffocating defense forced the Tigers to commit 17 turnovers in the first two periods and converted these to 21 points, allowing them to build a 38-31 edge at the break.
Marvin Lee's outside shooting coupled with CJ Cansino's aggressive drives sparked the third-quarter run that swung the lead to UST's favor. But Adamson closed out the period with a 9-2 rally to get back on top 58-54.
Ahanmisi put on a show in the fourth, dropping bombs and dishing dimes from various spots on the floor. Cansino continued to impress on the other end but the Falcons stayed ahead.
An inside bucket from Steve Akomo cut the Tigers' deficit to five, 74-69, in the last four minutes but they struggled to make stops. They also failed to connect in the next possessions, paving the way for Jerom Lastimosa and Papi Sarr to seal the deal in the dying seconds.
"I think this is one game that we can say that we played as a team," added Pumaren. "I've been stressing that there won't be an easy game for us after defeating the defending champs."
Adamson maintained a spotless 3-0 record, while UST fell to 1-2.
Cansino topped for the Tigers with 18 points, five rebounds, and two assists, followed by Lee's 16-point, five-rebound outing.
THE SCORES
ADAMSON 79 - Ahanmisi 20, Magbuhos 15, Espeleta 12, Camacho 9, Bernardo 7, Lastimosa 6, Sarr 4, Pingoy 4, Catapusan 2, Manganti 0, Colonia 0, Mojica 0
UST 71 - Cansino 18, Lee 16, Subido 8, Akomo 8, Cosejo 6, Marcos 4, Huang 4, Zamora 3, Lagumen 2, Mahinay 2, Caunan 0
QUARTER SCORES: 20-18, 38-31, 58-54, 79-71
EXTRA DRIBBLES
- Adamson had a huge 29-8 advantage in turnover points as UST committed a total of 27 miscues in the contest.
- Jonathan Espeleta led the Falcons' bench with nine points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Kristian Bernardo and and Jerom Lastimosa, meanwhile, combined for 13 markers.
NEXT GAMES
Adamson - September 26 (Wed) vs UP Fighting Maroons at Filoil Flying V Centre
UST - September 29 (Sat) vs Ateneo Blue Eagles at Filoil Flying V Centre