The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars saw their stint in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup come to a bitter end as they lost to the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 62-59, yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.
The Jaguars wrapped up their stint in the country’s most prestigious preseason tournament with just a win to show in eight tries.
But unlike their previous games, where blowouts were the norm, USJ-R had every chance to claim a victory had it not been for the efforts of Adamson big man Matthew Aquino, who debuted in style with 20 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots.
The 6-foot-7 son of PBA legend Marlou Aquino showed a skill his father never had—a prolific touch from the three-point arc.
Aquino drained five three-point bombs that spelled the difference in the tightly-contested match.
William Polican also had 11 points and seven rebounds for the Falcons.
In their final game in Manila, the Jagaurs lacked for bite or roar as nobody on the team reached double-figures. They were paced by Iron Suano’s nine points. Nelvin Navarra and RJ Dinolan managed eight apiece.
BOX SCORES:
Adamson (62) — Aquino 20, Polican 11, Pedrosa 8, Ochea 6, Bernardo 6, Pasturan 4, Barrera 4, Ng 3, Gumtang 0, Butron 0.
USJR (59) — Suano 9, Navarra 8, Gastador 8, Villafranca 7, Labares 7, Regalado 6, Nzuzi 6, Dinolan 4, Galvez 2, Bayhonan 2, Villarias 0, Villahermosa 0, Catipay 0, Lajato 0.
Quarterscores: 15-8, 26-27, 42-43, 62-59.