GAMES SATURDAY
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. – NU vs. FEU
4:30 p.m. – UST vs. La Salle
ADAMSON University sent reigning champion University of the Philippines to a second straight loss via a 62-59 decision last night in the 88th UAAP basketball tournament at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Thanks to the winning three-pointer of Ray Torres with 2.8 seconds left, the Soaring Falcons improved to a 1-1 slate. Torres finished with 10 points but none bigger than the triple that dropped the Fighting Maroons to 0-2, to go with two blocks, two steals and an assist.
AJ Fransman also shone for the San Marcelino-based squad with 10 markers and eight boards while Mathew Montebon and Cedrick Manzano added eight points apiece.
Earlier, one-and-done cager Kymani Ladi saved the day for the Ateneo Blue Eagles as they escaped the University of the East Red Warriors 62-60 for a 2-0 start.
Ladi, who made a crucial go-ahead three-pointer in the tail end of the match, tallied a double-double outing of 17 points and 10 rebounds to lift the Eagles, while Joaqui Espina chipped in 17 markers, one rebound, two assists, and one steal.
“We had a pretty stable first half… But then our shooting really abandoned us in the second half. We got good looks, but we just didn’t hit shots,” Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin said. “At the end of the day, it was defensive rebounding that won the game.
“We had some critical stops in critical moments, and different guys stepped up,” he added.
Wello Lingolingo led the Red Warriors, who absorbed their second loss in as many games, with 19 points while John Abate scored 11 markers.
Momowei contributed nine markers and 18 boards for UE.
