MANILA, Philippines – Flashing stifling defense and startling depth, the Adamson Soaring Falcons laid waste to the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 89-65, in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.
EAC led in the early going of the match, 13-8, behind the sorties of JP Maguliano, Marwin Taywan and Renz Gonzalez.
However Adamson’s Papi Sarr and rookie AP Manlapaz each scored four points in an eight-point swing to take the lead, at 17-15. After two lead changes, Adamson took a 21-19 upperhand after the first period.
Upon resumption of the game, EAC continued to play tough defense, forcing Adamson to three 24-second shot clock violations. The Generals — when they went to their bench — struggled to put the ball in the basket.
A turnover by Phillip Martin and two missed free throws by point guard CJ Cadua further hurt when Jerrick Ahanmisi converted on a lay-up and a triple. What was a two-point deficit had ballooned to nine and eventually 14 when blue chip recruit Arron Fermin, out of Arellano University, exploded for 10 straight points, including two triples to hike the lead, 40-26.
The Soaring Falcons led by as much as 34 points, 71-37.
Fermin finished with a game-high 21 points for Adamson while Ahanmisi added 17, including three triples. Manlapaz notched 12 while Sarr added 11 points.
“I think that when Aaron gets in real game shape, he will be able to contribute more,” said Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren, who is in his fourth year at the helm of the San Marcelino-based squad. “We also shuffled our line-up to see how we respond to certain situations. We started our camp only April 9 and we still have a long way to go.”
Marwin Taywan was the only EAC General in double digits with 10 points.
Over at the juniors division, the Lyceum of the Philippines Junior Pirates engaged the Adamson Baby Falcons in a 3-point shootout in the fourth period, and came out on top, 90-83.
LPU knocked down four triples in the payoff quarter, with Yuki Omandac accounting for three straight triples — the last coming at the 4:36 mark to give the Junior Pirates a 77-74 lead. Adamson, however, kept in step and fired in six triples of their own.
Following the last of Omandac’s long bombs, Adamson’s Carl Miranda hit a 25-footer to tie the count for the 10th and last time.
LPU’s John Barba scored nine straight points, including a triple of his own to knock the wind out of Adamson’s sails, 88-80. Miranda rattled home another trey but that was the closest they would come as two turnovers hurt their cause.
Barba scored a game-high 35 points while Edzel Montano added 16. Yuki Omandac accounted for 15 while Mac Guadaña chipped in 13, including six assists.
Adamson’s sensational 16-year-old rookie Matt Erolon, out of Dumaguete, scored 22 points, including six triples. JP Timbancaya added 14 while Carl Miranda tossed in 11.
In other Filoil juniors action, the University of Perpetual Help outlasted Jose Rizal University, 74-67.
Over at the 11-Under division, De La Salle Zobel turned back San Beda, 53-25.