Fransman lifts Adamson MBT over UE to keep playoff bid alive
Date Posted: November 5, 2024 at 04:21 PM
Photo: UAAP Media Team
Adamson ended a five-game losing skid with a highly-defensive 45-37 victory over the University of the East, October 30 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With the win, the Soaring Falcons kept their UAAP 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Final Four aspirations afloat with a 4-7 record, just a game behind fourth-ranked University of Santo Tomas.
AJ Fransman delivered in the clutch, scoring eight points during a decisive 10-0 run that opened the fourth quarter and extended Adamson’s lead to 43-32. This offensive surge proved too much for the Red Warriors, who only managed to score their first basket of the period at the 4:03 mark off a Precious Momowei layup.
“[W]e’re thankful that we won. Akala ko ang ghost month October eh. Muntik na kami ma-zero for the month of October, so it’s good that we’re able to get the win towards the end of the month,” Head coach Nash Racela said, expressing relief as his wards finally ended their skid.
“This is something that we really need. If I’d say our players were doing their part even with those losses that we had … Pero sa amin naman, [we] just continue on doing the right things and eventually [we’ll] get that win.”
Fransman, a former Enderun College standout, overcame a quiet first half with a career-high 14 points, including three triples, and added nine rebounds. Matt Erolon matched Fransman’s scoring with 14 points of his own, along with four assists.
Cedrick Manzano, meanwhile, contributed a 12-point-11-rebound double-double to go along with two steals to backstop Erolon and Fransman.
Adamson's defense limited UE to two field goals and five points in the final quarter and held the Recto-based squad scoreless for the first six minutes, seemingly unwilling to face a repeat of their 62-63 heartbreak against the same team in the first round.
UE’s 37-point output was the lowest since Far Eastern University tallied 39 markers in a defeat to National University on September 25, 2019.
Adamson will look to build on this momentum as they face National University on November 10 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
The Scores:
ADU 45 – Erolon 14, Fransman 14, Manzano 12, Montebon 3, Anabo 2, Calisay 0, Ramos 0, Yerro 0, Barasi 0, Mantua 0, Ojarikre 0.
UE 37 – Momowei 12, Fikes 9, Abate 8, Lingolingo 5, Maga 2, Spandonis 1, J. Cruz-Dumont 0, Galang 0, H. Cruz-Dumont 0, Mulingtapang 0, Finney 0, Wilson 0, Malaga 0, Go 0, Robles 0.
Quarterscores: 13-12, 22-19, 33-32, 45-37
