UAAP: Adamson shoots the lights out, stymies UE

(Updated 4:56pm) Despite being assured that they will finish the season below the .500 mark, Jericho Cruz and the rest of the hot-shooting the Adamson University Soaring Falcons surely gave their fans something to smile about. The Falcons hit a season-high 13 triples, and Cruz notched 21 points to overwhelm the University of the East Red Warriors on offense, posting an 89-69 win against them Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, in the second round of the 75th season of the UAAP. “Actually last two days meron siyang flu,” Adamson head coach Leo Austria said of Cruz, a transferee from the Rizal Technological University.  “I’m confident with him, noong nakita ko siyang maglaro sa Unigames. Gusto niyang maglaro sa D-League, pero hinabol ko sya, buti nalang nag-agree siya maglaro sa Adamson.   “These last four games, napaka-consistent niya. He’s emerging as part of our first five,” Austria added. The Falcons managed a season-high 29 assists, which is also a high mark among teams this season, and made 13 out of 28 three-pointers, shooting a little under 50% from rainbow territory. The win put both squads at 3-10 in the standings, above 1-12 UP. Adamson opened the first quarter with a bomb, going on a 12-2 run early on. The Falcons let loose a barrage of four trifectas, three from Saipan native Jericho Cruz, as the San Marcelino-based squad led by as much as 16 twice in the first quarter. The Warriors fought back incrementally, capping a feeble defensive effort with Adamson doubling their score, 28-14. In the second period, the Falcons continued to sling it from long-range, with gunners Roider Cabrera and Allen Etrone adding their shots. But Adamson added set plays as well for Rodney Brondial, who had a field day using basket cuts to his advantage, ending up with eight easy points. The tactic worked, and Coach Leo Austria and his boys managed to keep the lead at double digits, ending the first half at 54-37. By the intermission, Adamson had already dished out 18 assists, helping them to 60 percent shooting from the field. The salvo continued in the third for Adamson, countering four straight UE points with five of their own, upping the lead to 21 points, 62-41, and prompting Coach Boysie Zamar to call for time three minutes into the period. The Warriors continued to hammer the ball inside, and the muscling paid off, as sophomore beefcake Javier and long-time warrior Adrian Santos contributed six points inside. UE got within 11 points after a lay-in by Ivan Hernandez, 62-51, 4:04 left before the end of the third, but Adamson regained the shooting touch they lost in the first five minutes, drawing three’s from starter Ryan Monteclaro and senior Eric Camson to keep UE at a safe distance, 72-55, headed into the last ten minutes. There, Cruz and Jansen Rios played keep away with the UE offense, but it was Cruz and Cabrera that slammed the door shut on their foes, adding a triple each to close out the game. “We have to work hard until our last game. We’re preparing for the next tournament na eh. We have nothing to lose,” said coach Austria. Cruz finished with 21 points and eight assists for Adamson, followed by Cabrera with 15, all from three-pointers, and Brondial with 14 markers. The Red Warriors were led by Sumang, who drove his way to 24 points, followed by 18 points from Javier, and 10 points each from Santos and JR Sumido. Adamson has one more game left on their card, a match next Thursday against the De La Salle University Green Archers, who are on the edge of a Final Four berth, tied with National U. at 7-5. “What is important for us is to win that game. Alam naming kailangang-kailangan nila. We might be the spoiler,” Austria said, outlining his team’s motivation headed into their last game. “Kailangang-kailangan naming manalo para mayroon kaming statement bago matapos itong Season 75.” - AMD, GMA News The scores: AdU – Cruz 21, Cabrera 15, Brondial 14, Camson 10, Ruis 9, Etrone 9, Monteclaro 7, Olalia 2, Petilos 2, Trollano 0, Deans 0, Cabigas 0, Agustin 0, Abrigo 0 UE – Sumang 24, Javier 18, Sumido 10, Santos 10, Belleza 3, Galanza 2, Duran 2, Alberto 0, Valdez 0, Olayon 0, Hernandez 0, Flores 0 Quarter scoring: 28-14, 54-37, 72-55, 89-69