UE and Adamson looking to improve season slates

By Paolo Mariano Posted Sep 13th 2013

With the Final Four already out of their grasps, University of the East (UE) and Adamson University are just looking to hold on to something positive as they lock horns in the 76th UAAP men’s senior basketball tournament on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.

UE hopes to snap its four-game spell after bowing out of Final Four contention with a controversial loss to Ateneo de Manila University last Sunday, while Adamson wishes to bounce back after being drubbed by Far Eastern University, 92-80. Both teams have only won once in the second round.

Actually, the Recto-based squad still had a tiny glimmer of hope to enter the semifinals with its complaint involving Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol. The UAAP Board, however, ruled out the forfeiture of the Blue Eagles’ victory.

Still, UE head coach Boysie Zamar didn’t offer any excuses for his team missing the Final Four bus despite being tagged as one of the favorites this season. The outspoken mentor simply attributed the Red Warriors’ implosion to lack of maturity.

Heavy contributors Charles Mammie, Ralf Olivares, and Lord Casajeros got suspended by the league due to unsportsmanlike behavior, causing disruption to the Red Warriors’ flow and psyche. Sadly, they never recovered as they’re now in sixth place with a 5-7 slate.

The good news for them though is that main gunner Roi Sumang, averaging 19.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 5.3 APG, will suit up against Adamson. The right knee injury he suffered late in their game against Ateneo isn’t too serious and was cleared of ACL and MCL indications.

The Soaring Falcons, on the other hand, simply look to salvage their pride in what has been a dismal stint. What looked like a promising opening half to the season spiraled into an embarrassing second round, losing by an average of 14.2 points.

To add to the team’s woes, head coach Leo Austria has bared that he’ll resign at the end of the season. He started with the Soaring Falcons in 2006 and steered them to three semis appearances in his seven-season tenure.

But if there’s something Adamson has to be positive about, it’s the emergence of Don Trollano and Jansen Rios as of late, putting up 16.0 and 13.0 PPG, respectively in their last three outings. Their strong finish to the season definitely bodes well for the team next year.

The Soaring Falcons won their first round meeting with the Red Warriors, 78-71. Graduating forward Roider Cabrera top-scored for the team with 19 points, including five three-pointers, while Ingrid Sewa added a double-double of 15 markers and 11 caroms. 

The game will air live on Studio 23, BALLS HD 167, and uaapsports.tv with a replay on the same day at 7 p.m. on BALLS SkyCable channel 34/Destiny Cable channel 36.