The Adamson Soaring Falcons wasted no time in getting right into the win column as they downed the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 79-67, in Season 76 of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
In the second game, the reigning champions Ateneo Blue Eagles suffered greatly from the injury of Kiefer Ravena as they got thumped by the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 54-64.
Ravena suited up but played with a bum ankle, rendering him ineffective. He finished with just two points and sat out the entire second half.
Two-time league MVP Bobby Ray Parks had 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists to lead the Bulldogs to their first win over Ateneo in 11 games.
The first game saw wingman Jericho Cruz prove himself worthy of inheriting the scoring mantle left by top gun Alex Nuyles as he scored 19 points and had six rebounds and three steals.
African big man Ingrid Sewa anchored a third period breakaway and finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Power forward Rodnye Brondial also had a solid performance with nine points and nine boards.
Sewa had 11 in the third that helped his team go up by 18, 53-35. But former La Salle shooting guard Joseph Marata and former Sacred Heart-Ateneo de Cebu ace Henry Asilum led a UP uprising that got the Maroons to within six, 49-55.
Cruz quickly stopped that rally by scoring four of their next five points to help the Falcons close the period out on top, 60-49.