THE Adamson Soaring Falcons, led by Pappi Sarr with 22 points and 15 rebounds, continued their push for their best finish in many seasons, trouncing the National University Bulldogs, 77-53, Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Their fourth straight win handed the Soaring Falcons their eighth triumph in 13 outings, putting them in a share of third with the defending champion Far Eastern University and in contention for the no. 2 seeding in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
“We needed this win. We’re aiming to get a shot at the twice-to-beat advantage. We just have to beat Ateneo,” said Soaring Falcons coach Franz Pumaren.
The Blue Eagles, who beat the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 74-64, are in second at 9-4, and they could lose the no. 2 seeding in the Final Four if they get beaten by the Falcons on Wednesday.
The Soaring Falcons, who limited NU to six points in the second period for a 35-19 halftime edge, will force complications with their win over Ateneo.
Meanwhile, the University of the East Red Warriors wanted to end the season with a respectable finish.
They made a big effort to do so as the Red Warriors outplayed the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 80-67.
Four Warriors, led by Philip Manalang, scored in double digits and powered the Red Warriors to their third win in 13 matches.
The Fighting Maroons, who tried to give a fitting sendoff to three graduating players, Jett Manuel, Dave Moralde and Henry Asilum, ended their season with a 5-9 card, their best finish since 2005 when they had a 6-8 slate.
Manalang tallied a game-high 14 points and six rebounds, while Emil Palma also added 14. Edson Batiller and Alvin Pasaol scored 11 for the Red Warriors.
Games Wednesday (MOA Arena)
2 p.m. UE vs FEU
4 p.m. Adamson vs Ateneo