UE routs Adamson, 95-70, to sweep 1st round campaign

Games on Thursday (Second round, Ninoy Aquino stadium) 2 p.m. - ADMU vs ADU 4 p.m. – UE vs FEU The University of the East (UE) Red Warriors completed a 7-0 sweep of its first round campaign after a 95-70 victory over the Adamson Falcons in the 70th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday. Gutsy point guard Mark Borboran was named as best player after a season high 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Center Kelvin Gregorio was also a big contributor for the Red Warriors’ cause after he scored 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals in more than 30 minutes of action. The Red Warriors, showing that they are a force to reckon with in the UAAP, has beaten their last six opponents by an average of 22 big points prior to their game against the Falcons. The biggest margin came against the UP Fighting Maroons whom they defeated by 31 points, 97-66 last July 27. The Falcons of coach Bogs Adornado, who is a two time MVP in the PBA, have no answer for the offensive machinery of the Red Warriors who piled up a big margin the earlier period. The start of the fourth period saw Adamson cutting UE’s lead to just 17 points, 73-56. But a closing 22-14 run sparked by Borboran and Gregorio put the final nails in the coffin of the Falcons at 95-70. UE led at the half, 48-31, due to better shooting and outstanding defense. Mark Borboran led UE’s offense at the half with 11 points. Patrick Cabahug, this year’s UAAP leading scorer with an average of 26.2 points and 9.4 rebounds a game in six games, had nine points for his team after two quarters. UE shot better from the field converting 16 out of 29 attempts compared to Adamson’s 11 out of 41. Adamson, however, has more rebounds with 20 compared to UE’s 17. UE also has more assists in the first half with 11 compared to Adamson’s six. UE also has less turnovers with six to the Falcon’s 12. The biggest lead by UE in the first half was 22 points, 46-24. Adamson managed to cut UE’s lead to just 13 points, 50-37, at the start of the third period until James Martinez converted on a three point shot to up the Red Warrior’s lead to 16 at 53-37. The Falcons tried to make a run early in the third period but the Red Warriors were relentless as they opened a 69-43 lead after 36 minutes of play. UAAP second round hostilities resume on Thursday with Ateneo (4-3) facing the Adamson Falcons (1-6) at 2 p.m. UE (7-0), meanwhile, battles the FEU Tamaraws (4-3) in the main game at 4 p.m. Quarterscores: 26-13, 48-31, 69-43, 90-75 - GMANews.TV