Falcons upend Warriors in OT

Burly Ken Bono barreled his way to a double-double performance as Adamson surprised University of the East, 89-84, in overtime yesterday to boost its Final Four bid in the 69th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Less than a week after churning out a career and season best 33 points in a 76-68 victory over University of the Phils., the 6-foot-5 Bono came through with a 29-point, 15-rebound effort to power the Falcons to the victory and solo third place with a 5-5 (win-loss) slate.

He scored seven points in the extra period.

"He’s showing he deserves to be MVP," said Adamson coach Leo Austria.

It was the San Marcelino-based cagers’ first win over UE in 18 games since the Falcons trounced the Warriors, 69-64, on Sept. 6 nine seasons ago.

UE dropped to 7-3, enabling Ateneo to post a two-game lead an 8-1 mark in their battle for the top spot in the Final Four.

A freak accident, however, marred Adamson’s win as Bono’s teammate Leo Canuday dislocated his left elbow after a hard fall following a fast break play with less than two minutes to go in the contest. The third year guard from Bacolod City was rushed to Medical Center Manila.

"It’s unfortunate that we won but one of my players got injured," said Austria. "I’d rather lose a game than see one my players injured."

Earlier, the Maroons played the spoiler’s role as they stopped the Santo Tomas Tigers, 70-67, for their third win against eight losses.

Woodward Co, a rookie out of Xavier School, posted a career-best 20 points he spiked with 10 rebounds to seal the win for the Maroons, already out of the Final Four race.

Another rookie Jervy Cruz had 18 points and a season high 20 boards but the Maroons clamped down on him in the fourth quarter as the Tigers, who shocked Ateneo, 88-80, last week, fell to their sixth setback against five wins.