Cruz sparks Falcons past Maroons in season debut

ADAMSON beat University of the Philippines, 79-67, on Sunday for a rousing season debut in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jericho Cruz had 19 points, Ingrid Sewa tallied 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the rest of the Falcons played steadily to make up for the listless play of a grieving Ryan Monteclaro, whose mother passed away last week.

The Falcons finished the first period with a 7-0 run and never looked back as they pounced on the Maroons the rest of the way.

“I told them that we should have a good start,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria. “Hindi mo puwede i-underestimate ang UP.”

“I don’t want any complication in this game and I’m happy that we followed our game plan to the letter,” Austria added.

The Adamson coach also said that he wanted the Falcons to perform well being the season host.

“I don’t want na mapahiya sa opening kasi host team kami and everybody expects us to do well,” Austria said.

The Falcons outrebounded the Maroons, 53-29, nine apiece coming from Roider Cabrera and Rodney Brondial on its way to the lopsided victory.

Back-up point guards Ar-raouf Julkipli and Axel Inigo got a good account of themselves as they alternately played in lieu of Monteclaro.

The Adamson point guard suited up despite mourning the death of his mother that prevented him from attending the team's practices for a week.

Julkipli had eight points and seven rebounds including back-to-back baskets that made it 36-25 in favor the Falcons late in the second quarter.

Inigo, a rookie out of San Beda, had three points and six assists.

Sam Marata had a game-high 20 points, while Raul Soyud and Henri Asilum added 10 each for the Maroons.

The scores:

Adamson (79) – Cruz 19, Sewa 15, Cabrera 11, Brondial 9, Petilos 8, Julkipli 8, Rios 4, Inigo 3, Agustin 2, Trollano 0, Ochea 0, Monteclaro 0, Bernabe 0, Abrigo 0.

UP (67) – Marata 20, Soyud 10, Asilum 10, Lao 6, Wong 4, Reyes 4, Pascual 4, Ball 4, Gallarza 3, Harris 2, Paras 0, Ligad 0, Gingerich 0.

Quarterscores: 18-13; 36-28; 60-49; 79-67.