UAAP: UST snatches win from Adamson

Karim Abdul notched a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and UST kept their heads together as they gashed the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter, 61-60, at the Araneta Coliseum. Coach Pido Jarencio credited Abdul for playing smart despite the rugged nature of the game, after both Eric Camson and Rodney Brondial kept on doubling him in the paint. “Si Karim walang bola eh. Kung idodouble si Karim, alam na rin naman namin yung rotation ng bola. Sinabi ko kasi sa kanya, Karim wala na tayong magagawa, hindi ka na naming pwedeng ilabas. Lagi ko siyang tinatanong, nireremind ko sIya last five minutes, at sabi niya, “Coach, I can play”. UST went on a 7-0 run in the last two minutes, culminated with an inside shot off Abdul, his staple move. Adamson fumbled on their last possession and ultimately gave up the win. The Falcons opened the final period with a 7-2 run, but failed to convert in the last few minutes as top scorer Camson returned to the game only in their last possession.

“Basta may oras, laban pa rin. Tumibay kami sa sitwasyon na yun. Marami kaming games na naghahabol kami. Yung mga players ko, hindi bumigay”, said Coach Jarencio. Abdul, who was persona non grata in the paint in the first half, surfaced in the second half. Abdul shot a paltry 5-12, but made the baskets when they counted. The first quarter was a lethargic one for both teams, as both Adamson and UST had no clear offensive options. Both teams were missing starters, as Alex Nuyles and Jeric Teng continued to sit on their teams’ benches, the former bothered by a bum shoulder and the latter nagged by an MCL injury. Nuyles, however, was in his playing jersey. By the half, the Tigers six-point first quarter lead had dissolved, after charities from guard-forward Allan Etrone tied the game at 24-all. A three-pointer by Roider Cabrera stole the lead for the Falcons, 27-24, as Adamson delivered the punches to garner them a 33-26 lead, after a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Etrone. Etrone had all of his seven points in the second half, as the Falcons outscored the Tigers 20-7, eight coming from UST’s turnovers. Ajon Mariano emerged for the Growling Tigers after going scoreless in the first half. Mariano led a blitz that powered a 9-2 surge early in the fourth quarter. Abdul, after  being kept out of the paint by Adamson’s frontline, played rugged, and finally hit his first field goal, after getting tangled with Eric Camson. Mariano scored 12 points in the third quarter alone, keeping the Adamson lead at a manageable three points, 50-47. Mariano finished with his season averages, making 12 points and seizing seven rebounds. UST drew contributions from everyone except Mariano in the first half, as UST’s slew of wingmen adequately filled in for the absence of Jeric Teng. Swingman Alex Nuyles was seen wearing his jersey, but stayed glued to the bench. The win put UST over the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles, heading to the second round with the top seed at 6-1, while the Adamson Soaring Falcons find themselves tied with cellar dwellers UE and UP with 1-6 win-loss cards. Abdul led UST with 18 points and 12 rebounds, followed by Mariano and Fortuna with 12 apiece. Camson put up a respectable 19 points along with 10 rebounds, tracked by fellow big man Brondial with 15 points, while swingmen Allan Etrone and Roider Cabrera added 10 each. The Tigers look for redemption next week against the only team to have beaten them, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. “Back to zero kami, 0-0. Sabi ko sa kanila wag na nilang isipin yung standing. Isipin natin kung pano tatalunin yung kalaban. One game at a time. Ang focus namin, every game. Next week kalaban naming FEU ata, kaya bawi time ito,” added Jarencio. - RAF, GMA News UST – Abdul 18, Mariano 12, Fortuna 12, Bautista 8, Vigil 6, Lo 3, Ferrer 2, Daquioag 0, Pe 0, Afuang 0 AdU – Camson 19, Brondial 15, Etrone 10, Cabrera 10, Monteclaro 6, Rios 0, Petilos 0, Julkipli 0, Cruz 0, Cabigas 0 QUARTER SCORING: 19-13, 26-33, 47-50, 61-60