MANILA, Philippines – The Adamson Falcons and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals got their respective campaigns started on a bright note in the 18th Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament.
The Falcons drew big baskets from Roider Cabrera and Jericho Cruz as they waylaid the rookie-laden San Beda Red Lions, 72-63, at the St. Placid gym of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.
The Generals , behind Francis Munsayac and John Tayongtong with 17 and 14 points, stopped St. Clare, 67-60.
The Falcons’ opening win allowed them to join the defending champion Ateneo-B Blue Eagles in the early lead of Group B, while the Generals kept up with Ateneo-A in Group A.
Cabrera, who had 20 points, struck hardest in the start of the last period, scoring eight points in the last 5:45, and his effort allowed the Falcons to widen a 47-45 third quarter edge to 10, 55-45.
Cruz fired 16 points, with his two charities and three-point in the remaining 24.5 seconds allowing the Falcons to gain a 12-point spread in the final 24.5 seconds.
Munsayac’s two free throws in the last 29.4 seconds handed the Generals a seven-point edge at endgame.
In the junior division, University of the East prevailed over Adamson, 76-70, while Fatima University won over Jesus is Lord Christian Foundation, 76-74.
The Falcons’s triumph spoiled the debut of six-foot-five Cameroonian newcomer Pierre Tankoua, a cousin of former Far Eastern University cager Pippo Noundou who led the Red Lions with 14 points, and hit 10 points in the third canto.
He tied the match in the last nine seconds, 45-all, with his drive.
But a jumper from Mac Dia as time expired enabled Adamson to gain the upperhand at the end of the period.
Tankoua, who was backed by Ice Reyes with six points, was scoreless in the final canto as the Falcons went on to take an 11-point edge, 63-52, off Joseph Nalos’ drive and steal off Ice Reyes, who is the son of Smart Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes.