ON a stormy Wednesday, buckets came in trickles for Adamson University and University of the East.
But when needed the most, Soaring Falcon AJ Fransman rose for a right wing three-point try that found nothing but the bottom of the net and gave Adamson a 43-32 spread with 5:49 to go.
Boosted by a big fourth quarter drive, the Falcons turned back the Red Warriors 45-37 to rediscover their winning ways in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Enderun Colleges transferee’s booming triple punctuated a 10-0 Adamson blitz that spelled the big difference in the defensive showdown.
Falcons coach Nash Racela was elated no end after his charges snapped a five-game losing streak, thanks chiefly to their vaunted defense.
“Of course, we’re thankful that we won. Akala ko ghost month ang October, muntik na kami ma-zero for the month of October so it’s good that we’re able to get the win towards the end of the month,” Racela said. “This is something that we really need. If, I’d say our players were doing their part even with those losses that we had, that five straight losses that we had.
“Pero sa amin naman just continue on doing the right things and eventually you’ll get that win. It’s good that we’re able to get it today. I think our defense really was commendable,” he added.
Fransman uncorked a career-high 14 points, spiked by three treys, on top of nine rebounds for Adamson while Matt Erolon added 14 markers and four assists.
Cedrick Manzano also had a double-double of 12 points and 11 boards as the San Marcelino-based five improved to 4-7 for fifth.
The win atoned for the Falcons’ 59-70 loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons last Sunday and a numbing 62-63 loss to UE when they first met last Oct. 6.
The Warriors, who came off a 74-58 whipping of the National University Bulldogs last Saturday, slipped to 6-4.
UE’s 37-point output was the lowest since Far Eastern University was held to 39 points in a lopsided loss to NU on September 25, 2019.
The game also marked the lowest combined score (82 points) since the Bulldogs ripped the Falcons 62-25 (87 points) on July 25, 2014, with Adamson having the lowest scoring output in league history.
Adamson took a 22-19 cushion at the half before settling for a 33-32 buffer heading into the payoff period.
Six-foot-9 Nigerian center Precious Momowei was the lone bright spot for the Warriors with 12 points but shot just 5-of-13 and committed nine turnovers.
This win could only galvanize Racela and his squad as they press their bid for a Final Four slot.
