By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Adamson Soaring Falcons showed heart and resiliency after completing their come-from-behind win over the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in overtime, 86-84, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
With 14 seconds left in the final frame and DLSU leading by three, 79-76, the Soaring Falcons ran a pick-and-pop play between superstar Jerom Lastimosa and center Lenda Douanga.
After Lastimosa attacked to his right and looked to rise up to his sweet spot, Douanga stayed at the top of the key and became open after Michael Phillips followed the double team.
Douanga then sank the open three-pointer to deadlock the game at 79-all. The Green Archers had the chance to win the ball game with six seconds left but Kevin Quiambao missed the follow-up shot off Phillips’ miss from the perimeter.
DLSU’ savvy veteran point guard Evan Nelle injected some life in the Green Archers’ side after burying a leaning floater to give them back the lead in overtime, 84-83, with three minutes left.
However, Vince Magbuhos of the Soaring Falcons knocked down the game-winning trey at the top of the key that helped them retake the lead, 86-84.
That Magbuhos cold-blooded three-pointer became Adamson’s last points in the game as the Green Archers failed to score in the last 1:40 of the extension period.
Adamson had a waxing-hot start in the game after kicking off the duel with a 12-0 scoring in the first five minutes of the first quarter.
However, after the Green Archers deployed their signature full-court pressure, the Soaring Falcons’ offense went stagnant and allowed DLSU to grab the momentum.
Schonny Winston had a terrific third quarter for the Green Archers and went berserk mode from the perimeter area that helped DLSU balloon their lead to 11 points, 55-44.
Lastimosa then carried the entire Adamson in the scoring department and willed his team to victory with his 29 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
It was Lastimosa’s personal scoring run that helped the Soaring Falcons trim the Green Archers’ double-digit lead midway in the last canto.
“It was our second overtime game this season and right after regulation, we reminded the players we should have learned our lesson in that previous overtime game against UP, where we forced the overtime but first couple of minutes, nag-slack off kami that’s why we lost that game to UP. But today, it was nice that we were able to remind them and it was nice that they were able to respond positively. That’s how you’re able to win ball games,” said Adamson head coach Nash Racela.
