Adamson finally halted its four-game losing slide with a 72-53 victory over National University Saturday in the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
Rookie AP Manlapaz once again came out of his shell and poured 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter as he triggered the Soaring Falcons' huge finish to stop the bleeding and rise to a 4-6 slate
"We really needed this win," said coach Franz Pumaren, fully aware of the worth of Adamson's remaining games. "Every game for us right now is important."
Manlapaz had a huge hand in the Soaring Falcons' barrage after John Lloyd Clemente's triple put the Bulldogs ahead, 47-44, with 1:22 remaining in the third quarter.
After staring at that three-point deficit, Adamson went on and outscored NU, 28-6 to completely turn the game inside out and take the 19-point win.
Jerrick Ahanmisi led the Soaring Falcons with 15 points on a 3-of-8 clip from threes, Simon Camacho registered 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists, and Lenda Douanga racked a double-double of 11 points, 15 boards, and three blocks.
Jerom Lastimosa also did it all with his statline of 10 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and four steals.
The Bulldogs now find themselves in danger of being the first casualty of the season with their 2-8 card.
Dave Ildefonso paced NU with 15 points and eight rebounds, as Issa Gaye tallied a double-double of 14 points and 10 boards.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 72 -- Ahanmisi 15, Manlapaz 14, Camacho 13, Douanga 11, Lastimosa 10, Chauca 3, Yerro 3, Sabandal 2, Fermin 1, Bernardo 0, Magbuhos 0, Mojica 0.
NU 53 -- D. Ildefonso 15, Gaye 14, Clemente 10, Gallego 7, S. Ildefonso 2, Minerva 2, Rangel 2, Oczon 1, Diputado 0, Galinato 0, Joson 0, Malonzo 0, Mosqueda 0, Yu 0.
Quarters: 8-12, 32-34, 48-47, 72-53.