ADAMSON University guard Matty Erolon leisurely passed the ball to teammate Joshua Yerro from the right wing yesterday.
The wide-open Yerro then launched a trifecta from nearly the PBA’s four-point line and, despite a late challenge from National University’s Jake Figueroa, the high-arching triple try kissed the glass first before going in.
Powered by one of those big plays, the Soaring Falcons carved out a 53-41 win over the Bulldogs for their second straight win and boosted their Final Four bid in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Yerro’s trey gave Adamson a 42-31 spread with 8:50 to go which led him to celebrate a little bit by pumping his right fist before running back to play defense.
Falcons coach Nash Racela said his wards did their part—play their A-Game to bolster their chances of reaching the Last Four.
“Ang importante lang is buhay pa kami. That’s something we keep telling the players,” Racela said.
“Before the game, we told them about the alignment of stars. “So, pumuporma pero if we don’t do our part, it will not happen. That’s the challenge we told them before the game,” he added.
AJ Fransman, a transferee from Enderun Colleges, banged in a career-high 18 points, on top of 11 rebounds and three assists for the San Marcelino-based five, while Jhon Calisay chipped in seven markers.
Cedrick Manzano, Mathew Montebon, and Erolon also combined for 18 as Adamson scored a big follow-up to a 45-37 win over University of the East last Oct. 30 and rose to 5-7 for solo fifth behind University of Santo Tomas which has a 6-7 card.
The Falcons tackle the Growling Tigers in a game that would have Final Four implications this Saturday at The Arena in San Juan.
NU, which won its last two matches including a 67-62 decision over UST last Wednesday, fell to 4-9 and formally bowed out of contention.
Adamson zoomed to a 28-20 lead at the half and held a 39-31 edge heading into the final stanza.
“Tulad nga ng sabi ng coaches, pumapabor sa amin iyong games… the stars are aligned for us, but we just have to do our part,” Fransman said. “We can only control kung anong nasa control namin so we take to heart iyon.”
PJ Palacielo showed the way for the Bulldogs with 10 points and seven boards while Figueroa got eight and three.
With Racela and his prized recruit leading the way, it’s up to the rest to continue heeding their call. – With Abby Toralba
