Falcons MBT outclass St. Clare in pre-season cup opener
Date Posted: May 9, 2023 at 12:39 PM
The Soaring Falcons flexed their muscles against St. Clare College of Caloocan Saints, 75-64, in the opening of the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup last May 7 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Joem Sabandal led the Jerom Lastimosa and Nash Racela-less Falcons as the San Marcelino-based team grinded out a double-digit win over their foes. Sabandal scored 19 points to go along with two rebounds, two steals and an assist.
Lastimosa is currently in his first tour of duty with Gilas Pilipinas in the Southeast Asian Games, while Racela is in a recruitment trip in the US.
Adamson had a slow start in the first half with St. Clare building an early lead in the first quarter, 8-14.
The Gilbert Lao-coached team then uncorked a 17-3 run in the second canto, erasing the initial eight-point lead of the Saints. St. Clare, though, was able to arrest the slide and regained a one-point lead to end the first half.
The Falcons then continued their onslaught in the second half, blasting St. Clare with a 20-4 explosion built on 10 points from Sabandal.
"Actually, si Joem ang stabilizer namin sa loob e. We want that consistency from him moving forward," acting head coach Gilbert Lao said.
Vince Magbuhos backstopped Sabandal with a 12-point, 10-assist double-double, while Cedrick Manzano posted a solid 10 markers, seven boards, and three blocks.
The game also saw the debut of the newest Soaring Falcon Manu Anabo who had three points, six rebounds and one assist in just more than five minutes of playing time.
