Falcons soar past Tamaraws

MANILA, Philippines -- Adamson came back from double digits down and pulled away in the fourth quarter over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 59-47, for a soaring start in the UAAP Season 87 Sunday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Adamson trailed by 11 points in the second quarter but heated up just in time to give new FEU coach Sean Chambers a rude welcome in the UAAP.

Royce Mantua led Adamson with 14 points, four rebounds and two steals. Monty Montebon and Matty Erolon added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.

After trailing by four points, 25-21, at the half, the Soaring Falcons found their rhythm in the second half and finally overtook the Tamaraws in the third quarter.

This was a lead that they did not squander, as their advantage grew to as much as 18 points, 55-37, after a 16-2 start in the fourth quarter as Erolon strung together seven straight markers to cap the run.

FEU, though, tried to storm back with timely shots by Veejay Pre, Jedric Daa and Jorick Bautista, but it came too late.

OJ Ojarikre contributed six points and nine rebounds. Ced Manzano filled up the statsheet for Adamson with four points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.

Bautista finished with 14 markers and seven boards for FEU, being the only Tamaraw in double-digit scoring. The rookie Pre had eight points and five rebounds in his collegiate debut.

Adamson will be facing the defending champions La Salle Green Archers on Wednesday, while the Tamaraws will try to bounce back against the National University Bulldogs on Saturday. Both games will be held at the Big Dome.