Vince Magbuhos' game-winner vs Ateneo is sweet for Adamson in more ways than one

MANILA, Philippines -- Vince Magbuhos drilled the game-winning 3-pointer that completed an incredible come-from-behind win by the Adamson Falcons against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their UAAP Season 86 clash last Saturday, 74-71.

It was a special win because not only did this come at the expense of a longtime tormentor and not only because it was his birthday, but because Magbuhos had gutted it out with Adamson since he joined the team in 2018.

When Magbuhos was lined up by then head coach Franz Pumaren, he joined a talented squad that had Jerick Ahanmisi, Jonathan Espeleta, Sean Manganti, CJ Catapusan, Simon Camacho and Jerie Pingoy.

Vince’s fellow froshes then were Jed Colonia, the heady point guard of the Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles, Jerom Lastimosa, forward Ivan Maata, and his own brother, Wilfrey. 

Magbuhos looked to be in the mold of former Adamson star Eric Camson, who came off the bench and delivered huge points for the team. His season high was 15 points that year.

The next campaign, Aaron Fermin and AP Manlapaz joined the team with Lenda Dounga taking over from Papi Sarr.

Vince saw his playing time cut in half – from 14 minutes per game to seven. He averaged less than two points per game. His poor start to the season saw him demoted to the bench after that.

By Season 84 ,with the graduation of many of its players including the Filipino-Americans, Magbuhos’ playing time increased. Unfortunately, the player wasn’t fully confident and scored a mere 4.0 points a game.

In Season 85, now with 21 minutes of playing time a match, there were signs of him finding that scoring sock off the bench as he recorded a UAAP career high of 23 markers at one point. But he finished the season with only 6.7 points per game.

In his final tournament this season, Magbuhos averaged 5.0 points in his first two games – starting both for head coach Nash Racela. 

Then against Ateneo, he scored 11 points, including the game winner.

As Magbuhos ran off the court in rampant celebration into the arms of his teammates, one has to be happy for him, including some of his teammates who were in similar straits.

Joshua Yerro was first seen by Manila schools when he shone brightly in the