UAAP blowout: Falcons mangle Tigers
MANILA, Philippines — Adamson snapped Santo Tomas’ back-to-back run with an 85-57 drubbing to join a pack of leaders in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball yesterday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The Falcons only trailed in the early goings of the match, 3-8, before turning the jets on to take a 13-point lead at the turn and cruising to a 28-point win, the most lopsided so far this season.
Matthew Montebon scattered 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals in only 23 minutes of play as the boys from San Marcelino joined four other squads atop the standings midway through the first round.
The Growling Tigers came off two straight wins against reigning champion La Salle, 90-85, and the listless University of the East, 98-87, but hit a roadblock to fall to 2-2 instead of gaining a solo lead.
Montebon drew solid coverage from Matty Erolon and Earl Medina with 17 and 11 points, respectively, for the wards of coach Nash Racela, who limited the potent Santo Tomas offense to 57 points from an average of 87.7 in the first three games.
For Racela, that stinging defense was exactly his marching order to his chargers.
“The players did their part. We gave them a game plan and they followed it accordingly. I think that’s the only way we could have a chance in the UAAP. If we really follow it and defend those other teams because if we don’t do our part defensively, any given day they will all score 90, 100,” said Racela.
After a 16-4 run to snatch the driver’s seat at the end of the first, the Soaring Falcons never looked back and seized a 36-23 lead at the half as the Growling Tigers never regained their groove from there.
Adamson also clicked from the rainbow country, converting 11 treys after combining for only 12 in their first two matches, a 56-53 win over host Far Eastern U and a 73-68 loss to Ateneo.
Collins Akowe had a 19-point, 15-rebound double-double haul while Amiel Acido had 11 but other gunners in Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 stalwart Koji Buenaflor, Landyn Jumawan and Mark Llemit misfired for the squad of coach Pido Jarencio.
In the nightcap, Kieffer Alas poured 16 of his 18 points in the second half as Ateneo (3-1) gained a solo lead with a rousing 87-76 comeback win over National U (2-2) off a 17-point deficit.
abtestabtest Barbosa, Mangin scoop up taekwondo silvers in Asian Games By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 1 day ago Filipino taekwondo jins Kurt Barbosa and Tachiana Mangin settled for silver medals in their in their respective divisions... Sports Medal tally: 20th Asian Games 14 hours ago The 20th Asian Games are under way, running from September 19 to October 4. Sports Thrilling finish seen in ICTSI Iloilo Challenge 5 days ago With two of the last three Philippine Golf Tour legs decided by one stroke and the other by two, the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge... Sports On to the next for Alex By John Bryan Ulanday | 1 day ago “Mission: Asian Games Gold” turned out to be an unsuccessful endeavor and must have felt like a punch to the gut... Sports Philippine golfers' medal bid fizzles out in Asian Games By Jan Veran | 8 hours ago The Philippines’ golf teams came to the Asian Games with medal hopes but left empty-handed, their campaign undone by... Sports Latest More in Sports Pinoy booters stun Thais Obiena’s weird feeling South Korea lift gloom by winning Asian Games men's football gold Olympic champ Zheng rebukes rowdy home crowd at China Open abtest Red Bull's Verstappen grabs pole position for Bahrain GP 3 hours ago Four-time world champion Max Verstappen continued his dominant form for Red Bull by claiming his first pole of the season... Sports Blue Eagles storm back, overcome Bulldogs By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 3 hours ago Ateneo pulled away late in the fourth quarter to soar past National University, 87-76, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball... Sports Falcons feast on Tigers By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 6 hours ago Complete masterclass for the Adamson Soaring Falcons. Sports Saso advances but slips to 33rd as Thitikul, Mack pull ahead By Jan Veran | 8 hours ago Yuka Saso safely made the weekend play but lost ground in the standings as Jeeno Thitikul and Polly Mack surged to the top... Sports Recommended ‘Funds from China, drug lord went to Dutertes’ 1 day ago About P319 million in funds from Chinese government and corporate sources entered businesses and a foundation linked to the... SportsFUNDS NBI invites VP over ex-cop’s cash delivery claim 1 day ago The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will invite Vice President Sara Duterte to answer allegations of dismissed police... SportsNATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Impeachment court targets verdict by December 16 1 day ago The Senate impeachment court is eyeing to hand down a final verdict in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte by Dec. 16,... SportsIMPEACHMENT Loren may rejoin Senate majority – spokesman October 3, 2026 - 12:00am The camp of Sen. Loren Legarda is not ruling out the possibility of the lawmaker returning to the country and joining the majority bloc, saying shifting alliances is a regular feature of the upper chamber’s...r SportsSENATOR SB19 helps Bam Aquino file bill for Filipino creative assistance 1 day ago Senator Bam Aquino collaborated with SB19 to create the PACE Act in order to give better support for Filipino creatives,... SportsBAM AQUINOSB19SENATE next Recommended ‘Funds from China, drug lord went to Dutertes’ About P319 million in funds from Chinese government and corporate sources entered businesses and a foundation linked to the Duterte family, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV alleged yesterday, adding that these funds should be examined as part of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. 1 day ago FUNDS NBI invites VP over ex-cop’s cash delivery claim The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will invite Vice President Sara Duterte to answer allegations of dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that he delivered suitcases of cash to members of the Duterte family. 1 day ago NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Impeachment court targets verdict by December 16 The Senate impeachment court is eyeing to hand down a final verdict in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte by Dec. 16, running ahead of schedule despite two session cancellations this week. 1 day ago IMPEACHMENT Loren may rejoin Senate majority – spokesman The camp of Sen. Loren Legarda is not ruling out the possibility of the lawmaker returning to the country and joining the majority bloc, saying shifting alliances is a regular feature of the upper chamber’s fluid politics. 1 day ago SENATOR SB19 helps Bam Aquino file bill for Filipino creative assistance Senator Bam Aquino collaborated with SB19 to create the PACE Act in order to give better support for Filipino creatives, open more doors to global opportunities, and widen the market access of local goods and services. 1 day ago BAM AQUINO SB19 SENATE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
