Torres sinks game-winning trey to lift Adamson against UP

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Ray Allen Torres broke the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons’ hearts after draining the game-winning three-pointer, leading the Adamson University Soaring Falcons to their first win in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

In a thrilling UAAP matchup on Sept. 24, 2025, Torres showed nerves of steel in the final 12.1 seconds of regulation that resulted in a 62–59 victory for the Soaring Falcons at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

With the score deadlocked at 59-all, head coach Nash Racela went to Torres, calling up an isolation play from the top of the key against one of UP’s best perimeter defenders, Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano.

After sizing up Abadiano with a couple of rhythm dribbles, Torres took a quick step to his left, hoisted the Hail Mary, and caused pandemonium when the trifecta kissed the net, giving Adamson a three-point advantage.

Without any timeouts left in the final 2.8 seconds, the Fighting Maroons had to throw an emergency pass to Rey Remogat, who failed to launch the long-distance heave after being funneled by an Adamson defender.

With the massive and momentum-boosting win, Adamson recorded its first win against UP in three years and sent the defending champions to their worst UAAP start since the 2016 season.

The Soaring Falcons rebounded from a tough loss against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, while UP fell to a disappointing 0–2 win-loss record.

It was a game of runs for both teams as Adamson struck first, stretching its lead to 10 points early in the first half with efficient high-low plays to former Hua Siong College of Iloilo star center Cedrick Manzano.

However, UP fought back and regained its footing through the waxing-hot Abadiano, who erupted from both the perimeter and the rainbow country.

The mano-a-mano showdown went down to the wire, with UP not giving up after tying the ball game at 59-all, thanks to Harold Alarcon’s quick bucket off a designed inbound off-the-curl play.

Unfortunately, Torres deployed his heroics in the most crucial stretch of the final frame, sending the Fighting Maroons’ UAAP title-retention campaign into danger this Season 88.

Torres top-scored Adamson with 10 points, including the game-winning three-pointer, while Manzano added an all-around outing of eight markers, seven rebounds, and four assists.

On the other hand, Abadiano sparked UP with a game-high 15-point performance, but his individual brilliance failed to steer the Fighting Maroons to their first win of the season.

The Soaring Falcons will look to sustain their momentum on Sept. 28 against the undefeated Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, while UP aims to arrest its skid against the University of the East (UE) on the same day.