Falcons, Maroons get back at rivals

MANILA, Philippines - Adamson and University of the Philippines pumped life into their sagging bids in the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament as they got back at first-round tormentors National U and La Salle, respectively, at the Fil-Oil Flying V Arena yesterday.

The Falcons, putting in their worthiest showing in the season, blasted the Bulldogs, 79-50, while the Maroons, behind the exceptional game of rookie Miguel Reyes, outshot the Archers, 83-78, in a fierce match.

Adamson and UP both jacked up their records to 3-7, just a game behind La Salle (4-6) and a game ahead of National U (2-8).

Leo Canuday, Aldrin Margallo, Jan Colina and Alexander Nuyles pumped in at least 10 points each as Adamson walloped NU in all departments and pulled off the biggest win (in terms of winning margin) by any team in the season thus far.

The Falcons took the half at 48-37 and showed a killer instinct, whipping the Bulldogs by 18 points in the final half.

“We had a week to prepare for this game and we made the most out of it,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria. “Natapat din siguro that we played well in a game that they were off.”

Joseph Hermosisima, NU’s ace guard, was held to nine points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field.

Reyes played an inspired game for the Maroons, coming away with career-highs of 25 points and five rebounds that went with six assists against six errors in 31 minutes of action.

“I was just excited to play against my alma mater,” said Reyes, a former La Salle-Greenhills player who’s supposed to join the La Salle Archers.

“I really felt my shots would go in, and I’m very happy to win against them. From the start, we want to beat La Salle,” Reyes added.

Reyes was 4-of-7 from the three-point area, 6-of-11 from the two-point zone and 1-of-2 from the stripe in scoring the biggest output by a UAAP rookie in a game since Mike Gamboa also made 25 in 2006.

Woody Co and Mark Lopez also played vital roles as the Maroons beat the Archers for the first time in four years.

Co knocked in two triples and totaled 13 points while Lopez drilled in 11 points and hauled down nine rebounds.

Lopez scored eight of UP’s last 10 points and also had couples of hustle plays helping the Maroons clinch the win.

The two teams fought through seven deadlocks and six lead changes before the Maroons moved ahead to stay at 78-75 on a tip-in by Lopez off a missed shot by Magi Sison.