BLOODBATH: Falcons butcher Tigers

Games today:

(Philsports Arena)

3 p.m. — UE vs La Salle

5:30 p.m. — FEU vs UP

Adamson University got its way and ran circles around University of Santo Tomas (UST).

The Falcons found the bottom of the net while forcing the Growling Tigers to commit an atrocious number of errors for an 85-57 bounce-back win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Adamson never lifted its foot from the gas pedal after recovering from an early five-point deficit for its second win in three games while halting UST’s two-game win streak.

Defense keyed in the Falcons’ continued mastery over the same team it swept in the elimination round last season. Adamson forced UST to commit 20 turnovers that it converted to 21 turnover points.

Falcons head coach Nash Racela lauded his players for putting in the effort defensively, limiting the Tigers to below 20 points in all quarters.

“The players did their part. We simplified a lot of those (plays). We gave them a gameplan and they followed it accordingly. I think that’s the only way we could have a chance in the UAAP,” Racela said.

“If we follow it and really defend those other teams. Because if we don’t do our part defensively, any given day they will all score 90, 100 points. We just need to work on defense,” he added.

A 16-4 first quarter blitz allowed Adamson to establish separation. The Falcons maintained their distance the rest of the way.

Monty Montebon scored 21 points, dished out seven assists with five rebounds and two steals to pace Adamson, which outgunned UST in the fourth period, 31-18.

Matt Erolon added 17 points while Earl Medina got 11. Center Precious Jonah held his own against Tigers big man Collins Akowe, playing his role well defensively with five blocks and two steals to go with five points and three boards.

“I’m just very proud of the team. We had a week of preparation. We’re a little fortunate, having a week of break really helped us prepare for UST,” said Montebon, whose squad suffered a 68-73 loss to Ateneo De Manila University last week.

“They are a very talented team but I think the coaches put up a very good game plan. I think it was just up to us players to go out and execute. I think we did for the most part,” Montebon added.

Adamson collected 11 steals and punished UST’s zone defense by torching the Tigers from the outside with 11 triples.

The Falcons bench mob outplayed its Tigers counterpart, 40-22, in bench points.

From a 15-point lead entering the final canto, Adamson built its biggest separation at 28 with 56 seconds left after Lance Mangaron completed a three-point play with 56 seconds left.

UST fell to a 2-2 slate despite Akowe’s double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Amiel Acido finished with 11 points and seven rebounds while Koji Buenaflor got nine points for the Tigers.