BY CHRISTINE MONCADA
ADAMSON University snapped an eight-game losing streak
against La Salle yesterday, scoring a shock 61-55 upset victory before a
stunned crowd in the 72nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta
Colisuem.
While the Archers stumbled, Ateneo, getting 30 points from
reigning Most Valuable Player Rabeh Al-Hussaini, downed University of the East
80-75 to seize the solo lead with a 7-1 mark.
Al-Hussaini dished out another sterling performance,
finishing three points shy of his career-best posted last year in Ateneo’s
first round 66-72 loss to Far Eastern University. The 6-foot-7 center went
12-of-19 from the perimeter and 6-of-10 from the stripes. He also had 12
rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocks.
"I’m very happy for him (Al-Hussaini). He’s been struggling
lately, mainly because the defense is ganging up on him," said Ateneo coach
Norman Black.
The Red Warriors slipped to 4-4 in a tie with the Green
Archers.
Nico Salva scored all of his 12 points in the first half,
including 10 in the second period where the Blue Eagles made a huge 29-9 run
while Jai Reyes chipped in 11 points.
Paul Lee and Elmer Espiritu banged in 20 points apiece and
Paul Zamar had 10 markers for the Red Warriors who missed suspended center Pari
Llagas.
The Falcons went into the game with a measly 1-6 record but
played like champions, using a big first quarter surge as a launching pad to
avenge their 63-64 overtime loss to the Green Archers last July 23.
Trailing by two in the first quarter, the Falcons went on a
14-0 blitz and raced to a big 20-8 lead in handing the Archers their fourth
defeat in eight games. The win was Adamson’s first over the Franz Pumaren-mentored
Archers since their 64-62 triumph last July 24, 2004.
"This showed the boys still believe in our system," said
Adamson coach Leo Austria, who admitted losing sleep over the Falcons’ last
five defeats. "Iniisip ko kung anong mali ang nagawa namin but now we know we
can win as long as we play as a team."
Jan Colina paced Adamson with 14 points, five rebounds, an
assist and a steal while Alexander Nuyles added 10 points.
James Mangahas was the only Archer to finish in double figures with 12
points.
