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Falcons feast on Bulldogs; Tamaraws beat Eagles

By Julius Manicad

07/12/2010

It took long five years and a lot of guts for Adamson University to finally slay the ghost of its opening-day jitters.

With Eric Camson waxing hot, the Falcons demolished National University, 60-54, to open their campaign in Season 73 of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament on a high note yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The last time the Falcons won in their opening match in the UAAP was in July 10, 2005 ironically against the Bulldogs, 116-103.

Yesterday, however, the Falcons made sure they won’t be denied by the Bulldogs, thanks to fine performances by Camson, who scored eight of his 14 points in the second half.

And winning right on their first game was just an appetizer for the Falcons, who have another earnest mission to accomplish: to halt their long losing streak to Ateneo.

“I’m happy that we ended that long skid (of losing on opening day), and we’ll use another streak as a motivation heading into our game against Ateneo,” said a jubilant Adamson coach Leo Austria.

Austria was referring to the team’s bitter 25-game losing streak to the Blue Eagles whom they will face on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena.

The last time Adamson beat Ateneo was on Sept. 18, 1997 when the team was still bannered by Eddie Laure, Gherome Ejercito and Dennis Madrid.

In the second game, sophomore RR Garcia scored 23 points, including two pressure-packed free throws down the stretch as Far Eastern University shocked reigning champion Ateneo de Manila University, 72-69.

Camson also had 10 rebounds while Janus Lozada and Jan Colina were also impressive, chipping in 11 points apiece before the former left the game due to foot injury.

The Bulldogs, now handled by rookie mentor Eric Gonzales, leaned on Kokoy Hermosisima’s 19 points and Melvin Baloran’s 18 markers to keep the game within reach.

NU was within striking distance entering the payoff period, 42-49, but Roider Cabrera hit a three-point basket while Lester Alvarez nailed a jumper to put the Falcons safely ahead, 54-42, a little less than six minutes left.

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