Down and out, Adamson University still played like final four contenders, upsetting the University of the East (UE), 74-71, in Saturday’s UAAP men’s basketball second round action at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

A huge third quarter outburst and endgame poise did it for the Soaring Falcons, as a 20-point cushion was enough for them to earn the win.

Adamson head coch Mike Fermin revealed his team’s motivation for the game.

“I told the guys that in order to gain respect, we need to win this game,” the rookie coach said.

Center Pape Sarr posted monster numbers anew with 22 points and 20 rebounds to lead his team.

But it was the feisty Adamson backcourt who did much of the damage in the blistering 16-0 to start the third quarter.

The Falcons attacked with impunity, playing a relentless running game as the likes of Joseph Nalos, Jerome Garcia, and Jaydee Tungcab attacked the basket with impunity.

The run was capped by a breakaway slam by Sarr for a 64-44 lead.

UE’s Bonbon Batiller broke the ice for the Red Warriors in the 3:38 mark of the third quarter with a floater but his team was still down, 54-65, at the end of the period.

The Red Warriors then opened the final quarter with an 8-0 run, as Chris Javier took over the scoring cudgels for his team.

It was an exchange of baskets then, until a triple by Clark Derige trimmed the Warriors’ deficit, 69-71, coming to the last two minutes.

Both teams then exchanged bricks, then the Red Warriors, courtesy of Renz Palma’s fastbreak layup, came close at 71-72 in last 35 seconds.

UE had a chance to steal the game after Nalos lost his dribble, but Edgar Charcos muffed his floater with 15 seconds left.

Nalos then sank two free throws after an obligatory foul from UE, but the Red Warriors still could not get back as Javier missed a three-pointer to end the game.

The Red Warriors are still in the hunt for a final four slot at 4-8 and were led by Derige with 17 points. He, however, scored only one field goal in the second half.