Falcons outrun, outgun Tigers

Adamson went on a scoring spree in the second quarter to take control then thwarted University of Santo Tomas’ repeated rallies in the stretch to fashion out a 74-62 victory yesterday and grab a share of second place in the 69th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Falcons, behind their run-and-gun game, outscored the Tigers in the second quarter, 19-7, to turn a 19-21 deficit into a 38-28 lead at the turn. They were never seriously threatened from there as Ken Bono, Roel Hugnatan, Patrick Cabahug and Leo Canuday combined for 59 points to ensure the victory for the San Marcelino-based cagers.

It was Adamson’s third win against two losses while dealing UST its third loss against two victories.

Bono scored 19 points and dominated the boards with 14 rebounds while Hugnatan backed him up with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Cabahug and Canuday tossed in 17 and 13 points, respectively.

"Our game plan was to really attack their defense from the start," said Adamson coach Leo Austria. "Fortunately, some of their players didn’t suit up in this game."

He was referring to Jojo Duncil and Japs Cuan, two of UST’s top gunners who didn’t see action for the Tigers.

Duncil, who leads the league in scoring with an average of 20.4 points, was suspended for a game for head-butting National U’s Dave Catamora last week while Cuan was on sick leave.

Jervy Cruz, the prolific rookie transferee from Nueva Ecija, was also held to just 11 points, a far cry from his average of 19 points.

Earlier, State U went to the foul line to defuse National U’s superb three-point shooting as it pulled off a 95-86 victory that snapped a three-game skid.

Rookie prized find Miguel de Asis fired a game-high 18 points, including seven of the Maroons’ 33 free throws that helped them clinch their second win in five outings.

The Bulldogs fell 2-4 despite draining in 15 triples, the best this year and the last three seasons since La Salle made 14 in Season 66.

"Coach (Joe Lipa) instructed us to just challenge every shot and we’ll come through," said UP team skipper Nestor David, who had 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two shot blocks.

With Edwin Asoro on the firing end, NU dictated the pace early on as it led, 25-16, at the end of the first quarter.

But the Maroons outscored the Bulldogs in the second period, 31-10, to seize control then hung tough in the second half to preserve the win.