Adamson University’s Matt Erolon against University of Santo Tomas in UAAP Season 88. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Matt Erolon drained the game-winning three-pointer as Adamson University shocked University of Santo Tomas in overtime, 97-96, in UAAP Season 88 men's basketball on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Erolon fired a three-point bomb with only eight seconds left to finish with nine points, Matthew Montebon sent the game to overtime to complete his 19 points on five treys, while Ray Allen Torres also scorched from beyond the arc with a team-high 20 markers built on three triples.
"We're developing grit, and I hail them for not giving up," said Adamson coach Nash Racela, whose team defied the odds by overcoming an 80-88 deficit in the regulation to force OT.
"It's good that our players played for each other," added Racela, as he hailed Erolon, who made the game-winning trey, and Montebon, who made the game-tying triple at the end of regulation to keep Adamson alive.
Also starring for the Soaring Falcons was Ced Manzano who notched 19 points, seven rebounds, and four steals as the San Marcelino-based cagers won their fourth straight loss — two against UST in that span — to improve to 5-4 and enter the Top 4 scene.
On the other hand, the Growling Tigers absorbed their third straight loss, and fourth in nine games overall no thanks to the pivotal misses of Forth Padrigao and Nic Cabañero from the foul line.
Padrigao had 14 points and eight assists, while Cabañero finished with 10 markers, but they both missed a pair of free throws as Adamson was crawling back with under a minute left in the fourth period.
Collins Akowe — who split his charities before Erolon's game-winning trey — led UST with 19 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks, and two assists, Mark Llemit followed with 18, while Kyle Paranada had 14, but these did not help as the Tigers are now suddenly outside the Top 4 as they sit at No.5 in the team standings.
Adamson will aim for five straight wins on Sunday against Far Eastern University at the same venue.
UST will look to end its losing streak next Wednesday against University of the Philippines, also at the MOA Arena.
The Scores:
AdU 97 – Torres 20, Montebon 19, Manzano 19, Medina 10, Erolon 9, Anabo 8, Fransman 5, Ojarikre 4, A. Ronzone 3, Tumaneng 0, Perez 0, Demisana 0, Jaymalin 0, Cañete 0, Barcelona 0.
UST 96 – Akowe 19, Llemit 18, Padrigao 14, Paranada 14, Cabañero 10, Acido 8, Crisostomo 8, Estacio 3, Danting 2, Laure 0, Calum 0.
Quarterscores: 23-20, 47-42, 59-64, 89-89, 97-96