Games today:

(UST Quadricentennial Pavilion)

1:30 p.m. — Ateneo vs NU

4:30 p.m. — UP vs FEU

Adamson University held off a late fightback by University of the East (UE) for a 56-53 victory to start the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Timely baskets from Austin Ronzone and rookie John Medina with under two minutes left in the tight endgame rescued the Falcons from an upset scare for their third straight win and an even 4-4 win-loss record tied with Ateneo de Manila University.

Cedrick Manzano led Adamson’s balanced scoring, putting up a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.

“I just reminded my teammates that we have to fight possession by possession in the last five minutes of the game in order to beat UE,” said Manzano, who also had three assists, two blocks and a steal in over 26 minutes of action.

Adamson surrendered the lead it held from the opening tip with 2:54 left when DJ Robles cleaned up Tope Lagat’s missed jumper for a 50-49, Red Warriors lead.

Ronzone answered with a corner triple before Medina followed it up with a jumper for a 54-50 advantage in the last 1:42. Matt Erolon made it a three-possession lead with a pair of charities with just 15.2 seconds left.

UE guard John Abate hit a three for the final count.

Manu Anabo scored eight, AJ Fransman and Erolon got seven each while Medina and Ronzone had five and three markers, respectively, for Adamson.

The Red Warriors remained winless in eight games for a total of 14 straight losses since the second round of last season.

Abate finished with 16 points while Precious Momowei had 15 points and 14 rebounds for UE.

The scores:

Adamson (56) — Manzano 11, Anabo 8, Fransman 7, Erolon 7, Torres 5, Medina 5, A. Ronzone 3, Ojarikre 3, Cañete 3, Montebon 2, Demisana 2, C. Ronzone 0, Perez 0, Jaymalin 0, Barcelona 0, Tumaneng 0.

UE (53) — Abate 16, Momowei 15, Caoile 6, Lagat 6, Robles 4, Despi 2, Tañedo 2, Cabero 2, Rosete 0, Datumalim 0, Mulingtapang 0, Dumont 0.

Quarters: 21-17, 36-28, 47-43, 56-53.