WITH Papi Sarr back in action the Adamson University Soaring Falcons are back to their winning ways to establish themselves as serious contenders for a Final Four berth in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
This after the team managed to survive a close game against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
“At least we were able to prove something. Despite flirting with disaster, we survived this one,” said Adamson coach Franz Pumaren after the Falcons escaped with a 75-70 win on Wednesday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With their seventh triumph in 11 outings, the Falcons are up alone in third place in the team standings.
They are way ahead of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, who are in fourth with their 5-5 slate.
With the count tied for the last time off Jeepy Faundo’s layup, 66-all, the Falcons broke out of the deadlock behind Jonathan Espeleta’s freebies in the last 1:33.
The Falcons then forced a turnover following successive misses by Jordan Sta. Ana and Faundo.
In the turnover that followed Jerrick Ahanmisi scored on a drive and a freebie to move the Falcons out of range, 71-66.
Ahanmisi went on finish with 21 points, while Papi Sarr added 12 for the Falcons. Regie Basibas shot 17 for the Growling Tigers.
Pumaren said they learned a lot from the game with UST going into their game on Sunday against the National University Bulldogs.
“This is a test for us, learning to win close games,” said Pumaren.
The last time the Falcons entered the Final Four was in 2011.
Earlier the Cameroonian recruit starred in the Falcons’ lopsided 75-60 win over the University of the East Red Warriors.
The 6-foot-8 slotman, who finished second in the MVP race last season to Ben Mbala, says he wants to replicate his last season’s performance. He unloaded 15 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and had two steals.
Sarr said he’s not even in his best shape yet. He promises to improve even more. He added that he believes he’s yet to hit top form after a groin injury kept him from playing in the opener.