Fransman, Falcons stay alive for playoff hunt after eliminating NU
Date Posted: November 12, 2024 at 11:23 AM
Another big game from AJ Fransman towed the Soaring Falcons to a crucial victory over National University, 00-00, keeping afloat for a Final Four slot in the UAAP 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament, November 10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fransman tallied a new career high, 18 points, while grabbing 11 rebounds and scattering three assists, with a plus-25 efficiency, to keep his team’s playoff hopes alive.
The wire-to-wire victory improved the Soaring Falcons’ record to 5-7, placing them at solo fifth, just half a game behind the fourth-running University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers at 6-7.
With this, the clash between the two teams on November 16 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre will have a virtual do-or-die implication as it may determine their Final Four fate.
“Ang importante lang is buhay pa kami... Before the game, we told them about the alignment of stars, so, pumuporma [naman] pero if we don’t do our part, it will not happen,” head coach Nash Racela said during the post-game conference.
Adamson came off guns blazing, outscoring NU, 18-7 in the first quarter, and even extended the gap to 15 at 28-13 midway the second frame.
The Bulldogs then answered with their own hot streak to pull within three in the third, 28-31.
However, Adamson once again showcased their patented defense, only allowing their Jhocson-based foes to score solely off free throws to reestablish a 46-32 gap with just over five minutes left in the final frame.
John Calisay,meanwhile, added seven markers to backstop Fransman, while Matty Erolon, Matthew Montebon and Ced Manzano each added six.
The Scores:
AdU 53 – Fransman 18, Calisay 7, Erolon 6, Montebon 6, Manzano 6, Yerro 3, Mantua 3, Anabo 2, Ronzone 2, Barasi 0, Ojarikre 0, Ignacio 0, Alexander 0, Barcelona 0, Dignadice 0, Ramos 0.
NU 41 – Palacielo 10, Figueroa 8, Santiago 5, Jumamoy 4, Padrones 4, Francisco 3, Enriquez 3, Manansala 3, Garcia 0, Yu 0, Lim 0, Tulabut 0, Dela Cruz 0, Parks 0.
Quarterscores: 18-7, 28-20, 39-31, 53-41
