By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

THE ADAMSON Soaring Falcons and University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, currently tied at number four with 3-2 records in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), look to break off from their logjam and pad their respective tournament bids when they collide in midweek league action today.

Happening at 2 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Falcons and Maroons are eyeing to join the idle Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws at third place with a 4-2 record and stay close with the tournament leaders as the first round of the eliminations nears its end.

Adamson right now is riding a two-game winning streak following a shaky start to the tournament that saw it go 1-2 in its first three games.

Cameroonian Papi Sarr has been anchoring the Falcons’ attack with averages of 14 points, 12.3 rebounds and a steal per game.

Guard Robbie Manalang has been good for 10.2 points and 3.2 assists while Jerrick Ahanmisi is chipping in 9.6 points and 6.6 rebounds.

In their last game, the Falcons practically had their way against the struggling University of the East (UE) Red Warriors en route to a 79-60 win.

Sarr had a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds to lead a balanced attack for Adamson, which led from start to finish.

Sean Manganti had 10 points and eight rebounds with five other players scoring seven points or more.

Drawing contributions from various sources is indicative of how his team is slowly building chemistry on the court, Adamson coach Franz Pumaren said.

“The players are showing that they are developing a feel for one another’s game which is only good for us,” said Mr. Pumaren following his team’s win over UE.

Incidentally, it has been reported that Mr. Pumaren has taken a leave of absence of one year from his Philippine Basketball Association coaching duties with GlobalPort Batang Pier to concentrate on his work with the Falcons.

RETURN TO WINNING
On the other end, UP saw its two-game win streak come to a screeching end when they were routed by FEU last time around, 78-59.

While they competed well early on, the Maroons just wilted as the game progressed and were left with little answer to the Tamaraws’ charge.

It did not help UP’s cause that leading scorer and energy guy Paul Desiderio had it rough on the scoring end, finishing with just nine points and 24% shooting, a result in large part of the defense that FEU employed on him.

Ibrahim Ouattara of Mali and rookie Juan Gomez de Liano tried to pick up the cudgels for UP with 17 and 16 points, respectively, but it was just not enough against the Tamaraws, who played with a lot of fire and determination to see their cause through.

After the game, UP coach Bo Perasol said they have to maintain their focus and game toughness if they are to survive and mix it up with the top teams.

Also playing today are the defending champions De La Salle Green Archers (4-1) and UE (0-5), which will go into battle at 4 p.m.

The Archers shoot for their second consecutive win to stay within striking distance of the league-leading Ateneo Blue Eagles (6-0) while the Warriors look to book their first win of the season.

Meanwhile, Ateneo’s Chibueze Ikeh was the latest recipient of the UAAP’s player of the week honors after averaging 12.5 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and 1.5 blocks last week to help his team keep its unblemished record.

“The coaches have been teaching me other facets of the game such as shooting and dribbling and they are giving me confidence,” said Ikeh of his improved play of late.

In winning the award, given by the UAAP press corps, the Ateneo big man beat out Adamson’s Sarr and FEU’s Ron Dennison and Arvin Tolentino.

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