Proving deadly with their triples in the first period, the Adamson Falcons went on to rout the National University Bulldogs, 90-77, on Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Making13 of 16 three-point attempts, the Falcons went on to finish with the third-highest three-point output for the season in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
“People tend to notice our shooting. We got those open shots because we created some stops, we created some turnovers,” said Falcons coach Franz Pumaren.
Jerrick Ahanmisi and Jonathan Espeleta unloaded 16 points apiece to power the Falcons to their second consecutive triumph.
After the Falcons took charge early by shooting 6 of 10 three-point attempts, they coasted to their eighth win in 12 matches, and this allowed them to move within range of a playoff seat in the Final Four.
Three triples strung up by Ahanmisi, Jerie Pingoy and Espeleta allowed the Falcons to move ahead, 9-4.
Forcing three turnovers in the next plays, Pingoy and Simon Camacho scored from the inside to lead a 12-0 blast that gave the Falcons a 21-4 spread in the remaining 2:41.
As the Bulldogs were held to 12 in the first period, and the Falcons went on to take the first period with a 32-12.
And that was after Kurt Lojera drained one triple and Rob Manalang drained two towards the end of the period.
The Bulldogs, drawing 18 points from Jay Jay Alejandro, struggled without an ailing Matt Salem, and with Issa Gaye playing with a hurt foot.
They have a 4-7 slate.
It will be noted that University of the Philippines made the highest three-point output of the season when they won over La Salle, 98-87, in the first round.
The season's second highest three-point production was 15 by La Salle when they stopped the Bulldogs, 115-109.
Second game
ADAMSON 90 – Ahanmisi 16, Espeleta 16, Sarr 14, Manalang 14, Pingoy 7, Manganti 7, Lojera 5, Camacho 4, Mustre 3, Bernardo 2, Zaldivar 2, Ochea 0, Hill 0, Paranada 0, Chua 0
NU 77 – Alejandro 18, Diputado 14, Yu 8, Mosqueda 7, Tibayan 6, Morido 6, Abatayo 5, Aquino 4, Cauilan 3, Joson 2, Gaye 2, Rangel 2, Lastimosa 0, Bartlett 0
QUARTER SCORES: 32-12, 57-35, 72-48, 90-77
