THE UST Growling Tigers two-game winning streak in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament has come to an end after absorbing a blowout loss to the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 85-57, on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Philsports Arena.
The Falcons made the most out of their opponents miscues, converting 21 points off of 20 UST turnovers.
Both teams opened the match struggling on offense, but a basket by Jireh Tumaneng from the elbow kept the Falcons in striking distance, 8-7.
The San Marcelino squad later found rhythm, as a basket by Precious Jonah through contact gave Adamson the edge to close the first quarter, 19-12.
The Tigers remained lost in the second salvo, as another basket from Tumaneng extended their deficit, 26-17.
Adamson continued to sear with momentum, as a corner three from Kobe Demisana kept the Falcons up by double-figures at halftime, 36-23.
It was still all Adamson to open the second half, as a basket from AJ Fransman maintained the Falcons’ scoring surge, 50-27.
The España squad eventually found a spark, as a layup from Collins Akowe ignited 12 unanswered points to give UST life entering the final quarter, 39-54.
Despite finding their scoring, UST had no solutions to Adamson’s hot shooting, as a floater from Emman Anabo expanded his team’s cushion, 69-51.
A basket by Lance Mangaron through contact ultimately cemented the blowout for the Falcons.
Matthew Montebon spearheaded Adamson’s scoring with 21 markers and seven assists, while Erolon added 17points
Akowe paced UST in the loss with a double-double of 19 points and 15 boards, while Amiel Acido chipped in 11.
The Tigers will look to return to the win column when they face the NU Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. F
