Maroons drub Falcons as returning Lastimosa hit by fresh injury

MANILA, Philippines – The UP Fighting Maroons overpowered the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 77-51, on Jerom Lastimosa’s short-lived return in their UAAP Season 86 second round duel Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

Lastimosa, who sustained a knee injury in the offseason, played more than eight minutes in his comback, finishing with three points and grabbing two rebounds. But luck seemed to elude Adamson’s star guard, who had to be taken out of the game sometime in the third quarter after suffering yet another knee injury.

Lastimosa’s left knee accidentally collided with UP’s Gerry Abadiano with 5:19 left in the third period, and the guard had to be carried off the court by his teammate due to obvious pain.

Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons, who suffered their first loss in the tournament just a few days ago, just vented their on their foes.

Leading by just six, 17-11, at the end of the first quarter, UP used a 23-9 second canto to pull away for good. 

UP’s suffocating defense allowed just 28.4% field goal shooting for Adamson. 

The Diliman-based cagers, however, shot 40.6% from the floor but dished out 22 assists compared to just 10 for their opponents. 

Reyland Torres and Malick Diouf led UP with 12 points apiece, while rancis Lopez tallied 11 points and seven rebounds. 

No Adamson player finished in double figures, with Joshua Yerro and Eli Ramos leading the San Marcelino-based squad with seven points each.
 
UP maintained its spot at the top of the standings with a 7-1 record, tied with the NU Bulldogs. 

Adamson, for its part, dropped to 3-5, tied with FEU.