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BEFORE entering the court, Far Eastern University was already aware of its weakness – lack of height.

The Tamaraws instead used their speed and found an unlikely hero in Marlon Adolfo to turn back the lowly Adamson Falcons, 70-62, in the 71st UAAP men’s basketball tournament last August 14, 2008 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

“Now that Mac is already out of the season and Kave is gone too, somebody needs to step up,� said Adolfo, who converted on two three-point plays in the third canto that gave the Tamaraws a crucial 55-41 lead with still 6:17 to go.

The 6-foot-3 Adolfo, who has played alongside former Tamaraws Arwind Santos, Denok Miranda and Mark Isip, scored 18 points and amassed 10 rebounds to lead FEU. Incidentally, he is only one of two Tamaraws left from the 2005 championship team.

“I want to be in the big league someday, I want to be like our former seniors like Arwind, Dennis and Mark. They are already in the PBA now,� he said. “It is everyone’s dream to play in the PBA.�

Playmakers Andy Barroca and Jens Knuttel also towed the Tamaraws early in the second half en route to a 6-3 card and solo third place.

“I’m glad that Marlon has stepped up finally especially when Reil [Cervantes] and Aldrech [Ramos] fouled out,� said FEU coach Glen Capacio. “His gigantic performance in the second half pulled us through.�

The Tamaraws were ahead, 59-45, when the fourth quarter began. But the Falcons went on a 9-0 run, highlighted by Jan Colina’s undergoal stab, to get to within five, 54-59, with 6:29 remaining.

Barroca, who tallied 13 points and two steals, doused Adamson’s comeback hopes after hitting a trey that handed them a 64-54 spread with 5:54 to go in the fourth. The Tamaraws never looked back.

Veteran Benedict Fernandez added 14 points and three assists for the Tamaraws, who stopped a two-game skid.

Mike Galinato led the Falcons with 12 points, while Colina had 10. Noticeably absent from Adamson’s scoring parade were Paul Gonzalgo and Jerick Cañada, who combined for only 10 markers.

The Falcons fell to their fifth straight loss and tied host University of the Philippines at the bottom of the team standings with a 2-7 record.

The scores:

FEU 70 – Adolfo 18, Fernandez 14, Barroca 13, Ramos 8, Knuttel 5, Cervantes 4, Cawaling 3, Sanga 3, Tanuan 2, Macazo 0, Alisbo 0, Cabagnot 0.

Adamson 62 – Galinato 12, Colina 10, Nuyles 7, Agustin 6, Lozada 6, Cañada 6, Gorospe 6, Gonzalgo 4, Margallo 3, Santos 2, Lapitan 0, Yambot 0.

Quarter scores: 16-11; 32-30; 59-45; 70-62

Tags: Adamson-Falcons, FEU-Tamaraws, Marlon Adolfo, Petron, UAAP

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