MANILA – Adamson University Falcons pulled off late in the game to score a 74-70 stunner over Ateneo Blue Eagles at the start of the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After a 70-all deadlock, the Falcons snatched the lead 72-70 on an inside hit by Papi Sarr from a missed triple by Sean Manganti. After misses from the Blue Eagles, Manganti iced the game with two free throws.
Jerrick Ahanmisi finished the match with 23 points, including 12 in the final quarter, while rookie Vince Magbuhos and Sarr combined for 18 markers as the Falcons joined the four-way tie in the 1-0 card.
“Coach has been preparing us a lot for the game, and we were preparing for them even during the offseason. They’ve been scouting Ateneo for the last few months. I’m glad we came out with the win,” Ahanmisi said.
The Falcons have been dominant from the start and were ahead 59-51 when the Blue Eagles went on a huge run to tie the scores 61-all courtesy of back-to-back 3-point plays by William Navarro.
It was a seesaw battle for both teams since then, with the game knotted for the last time 70-all on a put-back by Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III before the Falcons went on a finishing run behind Sarr and Manganti.
“I don’t know if Ateneo was too complacent. We lost to them badly in the summer,” said Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren. “Kudos to the coaching staff for doing a great job scouting Ateneo and for the players for following the instruction.”
Joseph Matthew Nieto led the way with 21 points while Raffy Verano added 10 markers for Ateneo, the defending champion. Ravena struggled offensively and was held to just 7 points./PN
