Falcons overpower Bulldogs, 72-53

Rookie AP Manlapaz anchored Adamson’s surge in the final 10 minutes as he unloaded 10 of his 14 points in just 14 minutes of play. #UAAP82 #Adamsonwins

ADAMSON’S Simon Camacho gets past the defense of NU center Issa Gaye. (David John Cubangbang)

Adamson University did not need a last-second heave to reassert its mastery over National University (NU).

The Soaring Falcons waxed hot in the final quarter and demolished the Bulldogs, 72-53, to snap a four-game losing streak in Season 82 University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Holding a one-point lead entering the fourth period, Adamson outscored NU, 24-6, to pocket a much-needed victory as the Soaring Falcons get back in the Final Four race with a 4-6 win-loss mark.

Rookie AP Manlapaz anchored Adamson’s surge in the final 10 minutes as he unloaded 10 of his 14 points in just 14 minutes of play.

Jerrick Ahanmisi paced the Soaring Falcons with 15 points while Simon Camacho and Lenda Dounga contributed 13 and 11 markers, respectively.

“Basically, I think we needed this win. Every game for us right now is very important and I guess why we’re successful today because the bench really helped the starters,” Soaring Falcons head coach Franz Pumaren said.

“This is just a small step on our part for us to make sure that we will be on the right track in the next few games,” he added.

It was a tough loss for NU, which led 34-32 at halftime and was still in the game after three periods but Adamson’s defense held them to just six markers on 3-of-15 shooting from the field to drop to 2-8 in the standings.

Sean Ildefonso led the Bulldogs with 15 points and eight rebounds while Issa Gay added 14 markers and 10 boards. John Lloyd Clemente netted 10 points.

“Everybody played their part today, the bench helped out and the starters did what they had to do since the start of the game and we just played really well today,” Ahanmisi said.

It was Ahanmisi who broke the game wide open after hitting back-to-back baskets for a 61-51 lead with 7:03 remaining.

“Everybody really contributed to our win today even though we struggled in the first two quarters but coach Franz reminded us during the halftime break to increase our intensity and so we did,” said Manlapaz, who capped the 22-6 run with a layup to take the lead for good.