Falcons rally to edge Altas

MANILA, Philippines - Ryan Monteclaro canned in two free throws with 3.3 seconds left as Adamson rallied late to snatch a 79-78 victory over Perpetual Help in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena of San Juan yesterday.

The Falcons played catch up majority of the match but struck back at endgame behind Rodney Brondial, who scored eight points to put the San Marcelino-based squad within, 75-76, with 30 seconds left in the contest.

Juneric Baloria scored on a putback off Nosa Omorogbe miss to give Perpetual a three-point cushion with 13.7 to play but Jericho Cruz answered with two free throws and Jansen Rios made a steal off Omorogbe, setting up Monteclaro at the line.

It was Adamson’s fifth win in seven outings while dealing the Altas their sixth straight setback.

The match saw several near fights with Cruz head-butting Baloria after a skirmish although game officials only called a regular foul on Cruz.

Cruz led Adamson with 27 points while Brondial and Cameroonian Ingrid Sewa added 15 markers. Monteclaro scored 10 points and dished off six assists.

Omorogbe topscored for Perpetual with 27 points. Baloria, Justine Alano, and Harold Arboleda added 18, 14, and 11 points respectively.