Falcons end drought, edge out Maroons

MANILA, Philippines - Adamson avoided a winless campaign as it got back at first-round tormentor University of the Philippines, 67-63, in a battle of cellar-dwellars in UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball that had the atmosphere of a Final Four game Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

 

Dawn Ochea scored on a layup off transition to give AdU the go-ahead then Axel Inigo grabbed the rebound off a missed trey by UP ace Mikee Reyes, drew a foul and cashed in on his charities to ice it for the erstwhile winless Falcons, who celebrated like they won the crown. 

 

The Maroons also ended with 1-13 but took seventh on the strength of their 77-64 win in the first round. 

 

Kenneth Duremdes fought back tears as the buzzer sounded signaling his first victory as AdU coach.

 

"Tears of joy lang. This is the sweetest victory because we ended the season on a winning note so it’s a good sign our program and the dedication of the players are paying off,” said Duremdes. 

 

On a personal note, the former King Falcon and PBA MVP was awash with a gratifying feeling as he broke through as tactician.

 

“Pwede na sabihing coach ako. Nung di nananalo parang may doubts na hindi ako effective as a coach,” he said. 

 

The Falcons drew gusty games from their graduating players Don Trollano (21), Jansen Rios (11) and Ryan Monteclaro (7), complemented by Ochea’s nine. William Polican and Jessie Pedrosa contributed defensively, taking turns hounding Reyes who managed only nine after exploding 28 points in their first meeting. 

 

"This is all for the three graduating players. Ito yung game na dinedicate namin sa kanila and the guys responded well, especially dun sa mga papalit sa kanila (next year), the likes of Pedrosa and Polican who sacrificed their bodies to shut down Mikee Reyes, job well done for them,’ said Duremdes. 

 

Asked if a bonfire celebration is in order, Duremdes joked: “Problema sa Adamson, wala kaming puno.” 

 

“This victory is for all supporters students and the entire Adamsonian community,’ he said. 

 

The Maroons held a 24-12 lead in the early goings but the Falcons clawed back and turned things around in the second half, where they even led by as many as 12, at 59-47, halfway through the last canto. UP rallied and tied it at 63 behind rookie Diego Dario but AdU held on. 

 

“In the first round, we only played (well) everytime for two quarters and then later part of the tournament, last three games, dumadating na kami sa third quarter na nagko-compete so nagka-open window kami na we have a chance against UP. 

 

“Natapos yung game, last shot, it was a well-contested shot, nangyari ang gusto naming na makapag-close out kami, we pulled off the upset, I should say, against UP,” said Duremdes. 

 

Dario finished with 13 while Kyles Lao and Moriah Gingerich added 11 and 10, respectively, for UP, which came two wins short of a targeted three-win slate this season. The Maroons even lost starter Henry Asilum to a shoulder injury in the first half.