Baby Falcons fail to get revenge vs NUNS in second round
Date Posted: February 17, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Adamson University’s Boys’ Basketball Team faced another tough defeat in its UAAP 87 campaign, falling to National University Nazareth School, 49-71, on February 16 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Adamson had previously denied NUNS the championship in Season 86, winning the title in a thrilling three-game series, however, the Bullpups have gotten the best of the San Marcelino-based crew this year.
Photo: UAAP Media Team
Despite the loss, AdU, the defending champions, remain in the hunt for a Final Four spot, currently tied at 4-5 with De La Salle-Zobel and University of the East.
Mark Esperanza, the league leader in minutes played, led the Baby Falcons with 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists in 37 minutes of action,.
Esperanza’s fellow Batang Gilas prospect Earl Medina also made a strong contribution, finishing with 15 points and eight rebounds while also logging in heavy minutes with 36.
Adamson found itself trailing early as NUNS raced to a 10-0 start and built a 42-20 halftime gap.
The Baby Falcons struggled to contain reigning MVP Collins Akowe, who dominated with a 28-point, 22-rebound performance.
The Mike Fermin-coached team now aims to regain momentum as they face University of the Philippines Integrated School on February 20, followed by a crucial matchup with La Salle on the 23rd that could determine their playoff fate.
NUNS 71 - Akowe 28, Alfanta 15, Loscin 10, Palanca 10, Figueroa 4, Matias 2, Pillado 2, Cartel 0, Natinga 0, Usop 0, Solomon 0, Nepacena 0, Napa 0, Casala 0, Bouzina 0.
ADU 49 - Esperanza 18, Medina 15, Sajili 6, Perez 4, Umali 3, Tumaneng 2, Abayon 1, Murillo 0, De Jesus 0, Penafiel 0.
Quarterscores: 20-14, 37-23, 60-33, 71-49.
