THE UST Growling Tigers came crashing back to earth after seeing its record blemished by a defeat to the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 69-56, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball eliminations on Sunday, Sept. 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Off a fiery 2-0 start in the season, the España-based squad was humbled as it failed to match its best start since Season 78. Both teams now share a 2-1 win-loss record.
The Tigers had impressive opening minutes with UST captain Nic Cabañero igniting an 8-2 run with a three-pointer, 10-4. Back-to-back triples from forward Geremy Robinson and Migs Pangilinan widened the cushion, 18-8.
UST held a seven-point lead in the first quarter, 20-13.
Adamson had a 6-2 blitz to begin the second salvo until Cabañero fired from the top of the key, 25-19. Adamson guard AJ Fransman responded with two straight threes to put the game at a 27-all deadlock.
Falcons star Matthew Montebon broke through the Tigers’ defense with a putback to give his team a 33-32 edge at halftime.
Cabañero, who was finding his rhythm, quickly drained a three-pointer to reclaim the lead early in the second half, 35-33. However, UST went cold and struggled to make a basket.
Ex-Tiger Royce Mantua took advantage of this, scoring off a Pinoy step to give Adamson a six-point edge midway through the third, 43-37.
The Falcons continued to capitalize on the Tigers’ almost nine-minute dry spell, outscoring them 19-6, to mount a 52-38 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
Despite efforts to build momentum in the final stretch, UST could not handle Adamson’s offensive and defensive showcase.
Montebon led the Falcons with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Fransman contributed an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Mantua chipped in 11 markers against his former school.
Cabañero was the lone double-digit scorer for the Tigers, dropping a season-high 16 points to go along with five boards.
The Tigers will look to bounce back as they face last season’s bronze medalists, NU Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. F – Nicole Atuan
