Falcons disarm Red Warriors

Adamson coach Franz Pumaren needed to become a firebreathing dragon to knock some sense into the flat-starting wards and get them to restore order against upset-conscious University of the East.

Getting the message loud and clear, the Falcons regrouped after an embarrassing 3-20 deficit and worked their way to an 85-72 victory over the Red Warriors to gain at least a playoff for twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball Final Four.

“That’s the problem sometimes when you have a flat start and thought that the opposing team will just roll over. But it was a different scenario, they (UE) were aggressive, they were enjoying the game actually, stress-free and pressure-free. It’s a good thing we’re able to regoup and I gave them some ‘sweet nothing’ at halftime,” said Pumaren.

With their 10th victory in 13 outings, the Falcons put one foot at a Top 2 seeding in the F4. Adamson can actually get the semis bonus on a silver platter if league-leading Ateneo (10-2) prevails over third-running La Salle (8-4) today.

Later, University of the Philippines turned back Santo Tomas, 83-69, to take solo third and prime position in the chase for the remaining F4 berths.