MANILA, Philippines - Alex Nuyles scored on a difficult, twisting layup to lift Adamson to a heart-stopping 68-67 win over Mapua in the Filoil Flying V Tanduay First Five Pre-season Invitational Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena yesterday.
Nuyles’ endgame heroics came after Mapua’s Allan Mangahas drilled in a triple from the right corner to give the Cards their last taste of the lead, 67-66, leaving only 4.6 seconds at the clock.
“That was a crucial basket. I knew Nuyles can do it. He’s tough and has a big fighting heart,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria of his prized cager.
Adamson thus registered its first win to join early winners Ateneo, De La Salle and San Sebastian in the tournament presented by Pioneer Mighty Bond Extreme, with major sponsors Filoil, Flying V. Total Phils. Inc., San Marino, Accel and Hanes, the official outfitter.
Nuyles finished with 21 points and had 13 in the second half, but scored the lone basket in the fourth quarter that won the game for the Falcons.
Eric Camson added 16.
The Falcons used a big 17-5 run bridging the third and fourth quarters for a nine-point cushion, 58-49.
But the Cards, behind Erwin Cornejo, Jason Pascual and Mangahas charged back to set up the down-to-the-wire finish in the tournament backed by Adidas, BDO, Bayo, Jimm’s Coffee, Kaspersky, Zest Air, Karspersky Isecure Networks, Gourmet Coffee and RX 93.1.
Cornejo and Jason Pascual led the Mapua Cardinals with 19 and 13, respectively.
Meanwhile, the UP Maroons open their bid against the San Beda Red Lions at 1 p.m. tomorrow while the Archers shoot for win No. 2 against the Emilio Aguinaldo College at 3 p.m. The Cardinals take on the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers at 6 p.m.
Tickets for the games are available thru Ticketnet at 911-5555.
The scores:
First Game (srs)
Adamson 68 – Nuyles 22, Camson 16, Colina 12, Canada 5, Lozada 5, Alvarez 3, Stinett 3, Galinato 2, Basilio 0, Cabrera 0, Manyera 0, Etrone 0, Importante 0, Monteclaro 0, Brondial 0.
Mapua 67 – Cornejo 19, Pascual 13, Mangahas 8, Sarangay 7, Maniego 7, Banal 5, Cinco 4, Cabrera 2, Parala 2, Acosta 0, Stevens 0, Guillermo 0.
Quarterscores: 15-11, 27-27, 55-49, 68-67.