Adamson University entered the win column after overpowering University of the East, 74-61, in the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball tournament, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Soaring Falcons turned a 49-45 small lead into a 65-51 advantage with 4:32 left in the game, thanks to a 16-5 rally capped by Lenda Douanga's back-to-back paint conversions.
"Feels good to win. That's something that all teams look for at the start of each tournament. Hopefully, we follow it up," said Adamson head coach Nash Racela.
Jerom Lastimosa wore his facilitator hat for the Soaring Falcons with 11 points and seven assists without committing a single turnover.
Joem Sabandal top-scored with 16 points, while big men Vince Magbuhos and Douanga got nine points apiece.
Adamson moved to a tie for sixth with the Red Warriors, both at 1-2.
Luis Villegas came through anew for UE with 15 points and nine rebounds, while CJ Payawal added 12 points, all from deep.
With the game already decided with only 29.1 seconds left on the clock, Harvey Pagsanjan hurt his right ankle during a battle for a loose ball.
Both teams will be back come Wednesday quadruple-header at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
UE will face De La Salle University at 4:30 pm, while Adamson will end the day against Far Eastern University.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 74 -- Sabandal 16, Lastimosa 11, V. Magbuhos 9, Douanga 9, Manzano 6, Hanapi 6, Colonia 5, Yerro 4, Flowers 4, Torres 2, Barcelona 2, Jaymalin 0, Barasi 0, W. Magbuhos 0, Fuentebella 0.
UE 61 -- Villegas 15, Payawal 12, K. Paranada 8, Pagsanjan 7, Sawat 7, Stevens 6, N. Paranada 4, Tulabut 2, Alcantara 0, Remogat 0, Antiporda 0, Beltran 0.
Quarters: 23-9, 38-31, 49-45, 74-61.