Six-foot-eight center Papi Sarr said he is not surprised at the way his teammates played.
Their hard work at practice paid as the Adamson Falcons went on to smother the University of the East Warriors, 79-60, on Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
This sent the Falcons to their third win in five games in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
“I’m not surprised. We have been working hard for this game,” remarked Sarr, who came off with 15 and 16 rebounds.
The Falcons, who drew 10 points from the Sean Manganti, started strong.
Jonathan Espeleta finished with seven points. But his two triples in the last 5:54 of the first period saw the Falcons coasting to an 11-0 advantage.
Jerie Pingoy scored only 4 points, but his triple with 5:04 to go gave the Falcons a 17-point spread, 55-38.
Falcons coach Franz Pumaren said he is elated that the team has won more than half of their games.
But, what tears him is that his squad played against a team coached by his brother Derrick.
“It’s so hard when your team plays against your brother’s team, and they’re struggling,” said Pumaren.
Pumaren added that they had an easy win. But a punishing three-game bill awaits them this week.
And they will have tougher matches when they meet the defending champion La Salle Green Archers on Wednesday.
They will then meet the University of the Philippines on Saturday in their last game of the first round.
Adamson school officials said they are mourning the death of former coach Hector Hipolito, who passed away before the game.
The veteran coach passed away Saturday in Las Vegas, was coach of both the junior and later, senior teams of the school.
He was an assistant mentor to Orly Bauzon and was around when the Falcons made it to the finals in 1992.
Boxscores:
ADAMSON 79 – Sarr 15, Manganti 10, Ahanmisi 8, Manalang 8, Lojera 8, Espeleta 7, Ochea 7, Bernardo 6, Pingoy 4, Mustre 3, Hill 3, Camacho 0, Zaldivar 0, Chua 0, Paranada 0
UE 60 – Olayon 16, Pasaol 15, Bartolome 6, Maloles 6, Varilla 5, Manalang 4, Cullar 2, Acuno 2, Derige 2, Abanto 2, Conner 0, Armenion 0
QUARTER SCORES: 23-11, 41-31, 61-46, 79-60