Adamson’s Matty Erolon. Photo from FilOil Preseason Cup Media Team.MANILA — Adamson University finally entered the winner’s circle at the 18th FilOil Preseason Cup
The Soaring Falcons needed extra time to overcome University of the East, 71-67, in San Juan on Monday.
Matty Erolon led the charge with 17 points and four assists, swishing five triples none bigger than his go-ahead three with 2:13 left in extra period to put his team up, 66-65.
From there, the Soaring Falcons just showed their steadiness, sealing the win at the free throw line.
“We know what he could give us. He needs to look for consistency, ‘yun lang naman yon,” said coach Nash Racela of Erolon, who’s emerging to take a bigger role as a veteran for Adamson.
“Nai-in love kasi ito eh,” he joked. “Inspired ‘yan kaya ganyan. Pero sana lahat ng players namin inspired. Sa lahat ng mga players namin that’s something that we really demand from them,”
Rookie Earl Medina continued his stellar play for the San Marcelino side with 11 points and seven boards, as Ray Allen Torres nabbed 11 points, four steals, and three rebounds to hike the Soaring Falcons’ record to 1-3.
Earning that first win, however, didn’t come easy especially after Adamson almost bungled another game in overtime after squandering a 17-point first half lead.
Precious Momowei ignited UE’s second half rally as he finished with 23 points, 24 rebounds and three steals, yet went scoreless in the extra five minutes.
John Abate chipped in 22 points and five assists in the losing effort as the Red Warriors went down to a 0-4 card.
Over in the NCAA Bracket, Jose Rizal University finally snapped a five-game losing skein with a 71-64 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Harry Herrera tallied a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds to pick up the cudgels from his fellow rookie Sanlea Peñaverde, who was having an off night, while leader Shawn Argente logged 19 markers as the Heavy Bombers climbed up to 2-5.
Joshua Moralejo was the lone bright spot for the 1-4 Pirates as he had 13 points and five boards in the loss.
Meanwhile, Arellano University gave the returning San Beda University a rude welcome with a 73-70 escape.
The Chiefs’ productive bench got a hefty push from Maverick Minoya and Yuan Camay, who combined for 23 points to claim back-to-back wins and improve to an even 3-3 record.
Not helping the Red Lions’ cause were their 18 turnovers as Janti Miller’s 20-point, 11-rebound night went to waste. San Beda dropped to a 1-2 card.
The Scores:
First Game:
JRU 71 - Herrera 21, Argente 19, Garupil 9, Benitez 7, Peñaverde 6, Lozano 4, Pangilinan 4, Castillo 1, Canoza 0, Esguerra 0, Panapanaan 0.
LPU 64 - Moralejo 13, Peñafiel 9, Montaño 7, Versoza 6, Panelo 6, Daileg 5, Barba 5, Aviles 4, Aurigue 4, Matienzo 3, Pallingayan 2, Fuentes 0, Reyes -, Casiño 0, Paulo 0, Caduyac 0.
Quarters: 15-21, 37-37, 52-45, 71-64.
Second Game:
ARELLANO 73 - Vinoya 13, Ongotan 11, Camay 10, Abiera 8, Libang 8, Geronimo 7, Valencia 6, Hernal 4, Cabotaje 2, Flores 2, Buenaventura 2, Langit 0, Miller 0, Demetria 0, Espiritu 0.
SAN BEDA 70 - Miller 20, Estacio 15, Etulle 13, Celzo 7, Culdora 6, Calimag Jr. 4. Vailoces 3, Bonzalida 2, Gonzales 0, Mina 0, Medroso 0, Hawkins 0.
Quarters: 21-16, 42-36, 56-56, 73-70.
Third Game:
ADAMSON 71 - Erolon 17, Torres 11, Medina 11, Montebon 8, Perez 6, Competente 5, Ojarikre 4, Sajili 4, Fransman 3, Ronzone 2, Canete 0, Tumaneng 0.
UE 67 - Momowei 23, Abate 22, Lingolingo 8, Mulingtapang 7, Malaga 4, Datumalim 3, Lagat 0, Malaga 0, Cabero 0, Jimenez 0, Despi 0.
Quarters: 20-11, 40-27, 45-47, 61-61, 71-67.