Clutch Fransman propels U16 Boys’ Team to big win over Ateneo
Date Posted: October 29, 2024 at 04:19 PM
Aurelio Fransman delivered a crucial late-game performance to lift the Baby Falcons to a hard-fought 72-68 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on October 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
With the win, the Alex Barrera-coached team avenged its 73-79 loss to Ateneo from the first round in September, and broke their three-game skid and marked Adamson’s second win in the tournament.
Fransman, the younger brother of Falcons’ wingman AJ, led the Baby Falcons with 15 points, three steals and two assists, in a breakout showing punctuated by clutch plays.
In the post-game interview, head coach Alex Barrera shared that the team’s recent focus on consistent performance and defensive adjustments had been key to Adamson’s second-round improvement, noting that players needed to approach each game as a new opportunity to change outcomes.
Fransman, during the high-stakes fourth quarter, broke a 59-59 tie by hitting consecutive three-pointers, putting Ateneo in a six-point deficit with 4:49 remaining. This surge energized Adamson, pushing Craig Fongtong, Chrys Jomez, and Edison Jordan to add crucial points that stretched the lead to seven, 71-64.
Ateneo uncorked one last fight back late in the final frame, cutting Adamson's lead to three points with under a minute to play. However, a costly turnover from Sky Jazul dashed Ateneo’s hopes for a comeback, and despite two missed freebies by Fransman, Prince Banate’s offensive rebound and one free throw conversion secured the game for the Baby Falcons.
Edison Jordan, who has turned excellent performances in their previous games, registered another topnotch outing, contributing a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double to go along with two steals. Big man Fongtong, on the other hand, recorded nine markers, 10 boards, and two blocks.
Keefe Iledan also added eight points, eight rebounds, and a rejection, while Gomez chipped in seven points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and a steal.
The Baby Falcons now look forward to a two-week break before taking on the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws on November 10 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Reports from UAAP Media Team
The Scores:
ADU (72) - Fransman 15, E. Jordan 15, Fongtong 9, Iledan 8, Gomez 7, Azurias 7, Ondevilla 4, Banate 3, Timzon 2, Alcantara 2, A. Jordan 0.
Ateneo (68) - Kallos 31, Lacsamana 9, Molina 8, Juangco 8, Jazul 5, Ngo 5, Bernarte 2, Pineda 0, Meresen 0, Valte 0, Ramos 0, Divinagracia 0, Dela Rosa 0.
Quarterscores: 17-28, 35-47, 55-58, 72-68.
