Adamson repulses NU for 2nd BBI win

MANILA,  Philippines – Once the Adamson Soaring Falcons took the lead by the first quarter’s end, they repulsed every National University rally for a 74-62 win, their second in as many matches in the Men’s Under-25 Division of the Breakdown Basketball Invitationals at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center.

The Soaring Falcons got solid performances from their forward line of Simon Camacho and Vince Magbuhos, who each scored 12 points to lead Adamson. The duo combined for 14 boards while center Lenda Demarcai added 11 points and nine boards.

The two squads battled neck and neck in the first period, but a six-point burst by Adamson closed out the first 10 minutes of play for a 20-14 lead — one the Falcons would not relinquish.

Adamson threatened to blow out the Bulldogs after Magbuhos scored on a lay-up to make it 45-34 at the halfway mark of the third period. A 13-3 run by NU anchored by Dave Ildefonso and Jonas Tibayan sliced the lead to 48-47 with 45 seconds to play in the period. But Adamson countered with a huge 3-pointer by Egie Boy Mojica to give the Soaring Falcons some respite. A Jerie Pingoy steal off JV Gallego saw Camacho close out the period with a jumper to make it, 53-67. Meltdown averted.

From there on, the Falcons steadily rebuilt their double-digit advantage that they nursed until match’s end.

For the second straight match in BBI, Adamson ruled the boards with their 53-38 advantage, giving them a 21-16 advantage in second chance points. Their frontline of Demarcai, Camacho and Magbuhos saw them pound NU from the inside, 38-18. NU’s Issa Gaye, normally a pillar of strength and power for the Bulldogs, was held to five points and five rebounds in 20 minutes of play although he did block four shots. 

John Lloyd Clemente was the only NU Bulldog in double digits with 11 points while the rest of his teammates struggled. 

In the other BBI game, Centro Escolar University got back on the winning track when they ground out a tough match against a reinvigorated University of the Philippines squad for a 58-46 win.

Mercy Lawan led CEU with 18 points and 11 rebounds while Stephanie Ventura added 12 points.

Patricia Requera showed the way for UP with 11 points and 8 rebounds.

The De La Salle Lady Green Archers, on the other hand, easily handled the University of the East Lady Red Warriors, 64-50, for another triumph.

Khate Castillo led DLSU with a game-high 19 points while Johanna Arciga backstopped her effort with 10 points and 7 boards.

Jen Nama and Princess Pedrigosa each tallied 10 points for UP.