Henry Asilum scored a career-best 19 points in just 14 minutes off the bench to lead the UP Fighting Maroons past the AdU Soaring Falcons, 89-84, to kick off the second round of UAAP Season 78.
UP’s win comes less than a week after their heartbreaking five point loss to the same opponent. The victory by the Fighting Maroons improved their win-loss record this season to 3-5 and this marks the first time since 2009 that they have won three games in a UAAP season. Adamson, on the other hand, falls to 1-6 and remains at the bottom of the standings.
The Soaring Falcons trailed by as much as 15 points in the second half, but came within three points, 86-83, after Pape Sarr made two free throws with 20 seconds left to play. However, Diego Dario iced the game for UP on the next possession as he calmly sank two free throws of his own.
Aside from Asilum, three other Fighting Maroons scored in double figures. Veteran guard Jett Manuel finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, Dario had 14 points and five assists, and Amar Agustini scored a career-high 13 points.
Pape Sarr led the charge for Adamson and had 18 points and 17 rebounds, but he also turned the ball over eight times. Sarr made just one field goal out of six attempts, but made 16 of his 22 free throws.
Jerome Garcia, who led the way for Adamson in last week’s win with 26 points, finished with just 12 on three-for-11 shooting from the field. Alvin Margallo had 11 points while Joseph Nalos and Harold Ng scored eight apiece for the Soaring Falcons.
Turnovers led to Adamson’s downfall as they had 33 compared to just 19 for UP. The Fighting Maroons managed to turn those turnovers into 28 points. The Soaring Falcons managed to stay close, however, through their play inside. They out-rebounded UP, 57-31, and also grabbed 24 offensive rebounds which they converted into 21 second chance points.
The scores:
UP 89: Asilum 19, Manuel 16, Dario 14, Amar 13, Desiderio 8, Longa 8, Juruena 7, Moralde 2, Harris 2, Kone 0, Jaboneta 0, Vito 0, Lim 0
AdU 84: Sarr 18, Garcia J. 12, Margallo 11, Nalos 8, Ng 8, Capote 7, Tungcab 5, Garcia 5, Escalambre 5, Polican 3, Ochea 2, Camacho 0
Quarter scores: 19-16, 44-36, 68-56, 89-84
File photo by Martin San Diego
