Chauca keys huge Adamson rally to stun UST

MANILA, Philippines – Valandre Chauca carried Adamson in the clutch to pull off the killer 78-71 win over University of Santo Tomas in the 82nd UAAP men's basketball tournament Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Fil-Peruvian sniper shot the Soaring Falcons back from a 71-62 deficit in the last 3:07 as they staged a killer 16-0 assault to finish the game.

Chauca scored 18 points, 11 coming in the fourth quarter, to go with his eight assists and six rebounds.

"We got a big lift from Val," testified coach Franz Pumaren. "That’s why he’s here. He’s here to guide this young team."

Jerrick Ahanmisi led Adamson in scoring with 24 points as he shot on a 4-of-10 clip from beyond the arc, as well as hauling four rebounds and three assists.

Congolese center Lenda Douanga also added nine points and nine boards in the win.

It was a stunning fightback on the part of the San Marcelino-based dribblers, which hiked their way back from a 13-point hole, 61-48, early in the fourth period.

Adamson and UST are now tied at third place as they both hold 3-2 win-loss cards.

Soulemane Chabi Yo stood up for the Growling Tigers in the losing cause with 17 points, 15 rebounds, two assists and a block.

The scores:

ADU 78 – Ahanmisi 24, Chauca 18, Douanga 9, Fermin 7, Lastimosa 6, Mojica 5, Magbuhos 4, Camacho 3, Manlapaz 2, Bernardo 0, Flowers 0, Yerro 0, Zaldivar 0.

UST 71 – Chabi Yo 17, Cansino 10, Concepcion 10, Nonoy 10, Abando 9, Subido 6, Huang 4, Paraiso 3, Pangilinan 2, Ando 0, Caunan 0, Cuajao 0.

Quarterscores: 19-15, 33-38, 48-58, 78-71.