Filoil Cup: Falcons overpower UP in Douanga return game

Date Posted: May 22, 2023 at 01:36 PM


Not having Jerom Lastimosa and Joem Sabandal was not an issue for the Soaring Falcons as they score a crucial victory over fellow depleted team University of the Philippines, 62-53, in the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Pre-season Cup held last May 19 at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan. 

Adamson’s frontcourt height was in full display as returning FSA Lenda Douanga anchored his team with 12 points and seven rebounds while Cedrick Manzano registered 10 markers and seven boards. 

Matty Erolon, meanwhile, continued his hot streak from the three-point line, posting nine points and three rebounds. 

The victory gave the San Marcelino-based squad their second win in five games in Group II where they are currently in the middle of the 10-team bracket. 

In the post-game interview, Falcons coach Nash Racela iterated that their priority in the competition is player development, but also lauded his wards’ defensive efforts that limited UP to a 16-of-64 shooting clip. 

“We preach that defense is our key to success because we’re not as talented as the other teams. It’s nice that our players are embracing it kasi ang demand lang naman namin is to be decent defenders,” he said. 

The game saw a tightly contested matchup in the first half until the Falcons unleashed a 21-2 bomb between the third and fourth quarters, giving them a 49-33 lead early in the final frame. The Maroons tried to mount a comeback, but their foes did not surrender the momentum en route to the win.