Soaring Falcons tame Growling Tigers in UAAP clash

The Adamson Soaring Falcons bagged a statement bounce-back victory after demolishing the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 85-57, in the ongoing UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Oct. 3, 2026, at Philsports Arena in Pasig.

After losing a tightly contested battle against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Sept. 26, the Soaring Falcons vented their ire on UST, scoring a wire-to-wire win to join FEU and UP in second place with identical 2-1 win-loss records.

Mathew Montebon spearheaded Adamson’s 40-minute avalanche as he set the tempo in the first quarter with quick drives to the basket while setting up his teammates with dimes off kick-out passes.

Backstopping him was Matty Erolon, who fired on all cylinders when Montebon took a quick breather at the 3:21 mark.

The Growling Tigers went to Collins Akowe in hopes of slowly chipping away at the deficit, but Adamson quickly deployed double-teams on the dominant center, frustrating him in the post while denying him any clear high-low entries.

Adamson’s defensive schemes took a toll on UST’s half-court execution, limiting the Growling Tigers to one of their lowest-scoring quarters with only 11 points.

A lethal 12-0 run sparked UST’s hopes of a huge comeback and cut the deficit to just 11 points, but Montebon and the rest of the Soaring Falcons countered with an 8-0 run, making it difficult for head coach Pido Jarencio’s wards to generate any momentum.

At the start of the fourth quarter, UST tried to use Akowe as a decoy by setting flare screens to free up its shooters on both wings. Unfortunately, the Growling Tigers went cold from deep in the final 10 minutes of regulation, burying only 2 of 9 attempts.

Adamson then unleashed its final barrage with only five minutes remaining, leaving UST behind with a game-defining 16-6 run.

Montebon was a man on a mission, leading Adamson with an all-around effort of 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Erolon was also impressive in the win, chipping in 17 points, three rebounds and two dimes, while Earl Medina added 11 points built on three drained treys.

On the other hand, Akowe led the Growling Tigers with 19 markers and 15 boards, but his co-star, Mark Llemit, was held to just two points, his lowest scoring output of Season 89 so far.