Date Posted: November 24, 2023 at 11:48 AM
It was a heart-rending adieu for graduating King Falcon Jerom Lastimosa and seniors Jed Colonia and brothers Vince and Wilfrey Magbuhos as they concluded their careers with the Adamson Soaring Falcons on a tough note.
Adamson’s bid to secure a final four slot in the UAAP 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament was cut short as they fell to reigning titlists Ateneo de Manila University, 48-70, in their do-or-die match last November 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ateneo's scorching shooting and tight defensive schemes surprised the Falcons, leading them to struggle to find their pace.
The San Marcelino crew tried to mount a comeback and arrest their slide early in the game, feeding off the energy from the predominantly Adamsonian crowd, but were eventually denied by their foes from Katipunan.
Despite the deflating loss, Adamson head coach Nash Racela expressed pride on how his team performed.
“[I am] very, very proud of my team, of our team. [There are] so many ups and downs, really an emotional roller coaster for the team even up to the last day. Well, the team is on an emotional low,” the third-year coach said, also revealing that the game was their own way to pay homage to Ced Manzano’s departed father.
Meanwhile, King Falcon Jerom Lastimosa had a memorable swansong on court as he sank a buzzer-beating triple after Ateneo rookie Kyle Gamber handed him the ball with a second left on clock.
Jerom expressed how it marked as an important moment sealing his collegiate career. He also extended his gratitude to both the UAAP and Adamson communities.
“One thing that I learned in [the] UAAP siguro, [is to] learn how to love the fans. Kasi ‘yun lang ang nararamdaman ko eh, parang lahat ng fans ng UAAP, [nararamdaman] ko talaga na mahal na mahal nila ako. So do'n pa lang super thankful ako and blessed kasi ganoon sila mag-treat sa akin,” the Dumaguete-native said.
Rookie Matt Erolon steered the Falcons with nine points, while Didat Hanapi also contributed eight markers. No Adamson player reached double digits in scoring.
The Falcons closed the season in fifth spot, with seven wins and eight losses.
The Scores:
AdU 48 – Erolon 9, Hanapi 8, Calisay 5, Manzano 4, Yerro 4, Montebon 4, Sabandal 4, Magbuhos 3, Lastimosa 3, Barasi 2, Ramos 2, Colonia 0, Ojarikre 0, Cañete 0, Barcelona 0, Anabo 0.
Ateneo 70 – Brown 20, Quitevis 11, Amos 10, Ballungay 7, Bongo 4, Obasa 4, Koon 3, Nieto 3, Credo 3, Espinosa 3, Lazaro 2, Chiu 0, Gamber 0, Tuano 0.
Quarter Scores: 15-24, 25-40, 39-56, 48-70
