Adamson University scraped past University of the East, 72-65, to gain a share of third spot in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
The Falcons overcame Red Warriors sniper Noy Remogat’s career game to raise their record to 3-2.
“It was a hard win against UE. Going to the game, I consider ourselves minus-five against UE kasi when you look at the numbers… it would really be a challenge for us to go up against UE but today medyo bumaligtad naging plus-seven,” said Head Coach Nash Racela after Adamson joined De La Salle in third spot.
Remogat’s free throw with 4:39 left in the fourth quarter knotted the game at 63-63 but Joem Sabandal and Didat Hanapi answered back for the Soaring Falcons with five straight points for q 68-63 lead with 3:48 remaining.
Matthew Montebon then nailed the game’s biggest basket, a three-pointer with 38.4 seconds that gave the Falcons a 71-63 advantage.
The defense of Adamson held UE scoreless since the Remogat free throws the rest of the way until he made a layup with 22.0 seconds left.
“Yung sa third quarter binigyan po ako ng kumpyansa ni coach na maglaro ng A game ko,” said Erolon, who made two of his three triples in the third to finish with 10 points.
Montebon made 13 points, while Didat Hanapi and Joem Sabandal chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.
Cedrick Manzano also had 13 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a block despite having to leave the game with 7:24 left after a busted eyebrow off an accidental hit by UE’s Nigerian big man Precious Momowei, who got an unsportsmanlike foul for it.
Adamson will go for back-to-back wins on Wednesday’s quadruple-header at the same Pasay venue when it collides with Far Eastern University.
The Red Warriors succumbed to their second straight loss, also bowing to Ateneo de Manila University last Wednesday, 69-76, for a 2-3 slate for joint fifth and sixth with the Blue Eagles.
Remogat unloaded 27 points, 23 coming off the second half, while also grabbing 11 rebounds.
“UE is gifted with a special player in Remogat,” said Racela.
Wello Lingolingo also made his presence felt with 15 points, all from beyond the arc.
UE will look to end its skid when it faces National University.
The Scores:
Adamson 72 – Manzano 13, Montebon 13, Erolon 10, Hanapi 9, Sabandal 8, Yerro 7, Magbuhos 5, Barasi 3, Calisay 2, Ojarikre 2, Ramos 0, Colonia 0, Anabo 0, Barcelona 0, Canete 0.
 UE 65 – Remogat 27, Lingolingo 15, Maglupay 5, Gilbuena 4, Cruz-Dumont 3, Galang 3, Wilson 2, Sawat 2, Tulabut 2, Momowei 2, Alcantara 0, Fikes 0.
Quarterscores: 19-16, 38-26, 53-50, 72-65
