UAAP Season 88: UP suffers worst start since 2016 after falling short against Adamson: Takeaways

Adamson’s Ray Allen Torres channeled his namesake after draining the game-winner to give the Soaring Falcons their first win and also pummeling UP to its worst start in the UAAP since 2016. 

It was a collective effort on the Falcons’ part, with Torres and AJ Fransman the only players scoring in double-digits with 10 apiece, while UP banked on seniors Gerry Abadiano and Harold Alarcon’s offensive capabilities to lead the field after combining for 27 markers.

Anticipated transferee Rey Remogat has yet to settle in as a Fighting Maroon. The former UE Red Warrior had his worst game yet after tallying no points while shooting 0/4 from the field.

Prior to yesterday, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde had not lost back-to-back games since joining the Fighting Maroons in Season 84.

SOAR ABOVE IT ALL

The Adamson Soaring Falcons rise to their first win, overcoming the UP Fighting Maroons in their Round 1 showdown at the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament, 62-59!#UAAPSeason88 #StrengthInMotionHopeInAction #LegendsStartHere pic.twitter.com/2ozoftm1pL

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) September 24, 2025

Adamson and the value of unselfishness

Despite the close score, Adamson had the momentum all game with efforts from everywhere dictating in both ends. The Falcons, who improved to a 1-1 slate, 32.8% from the field, but made the shots that counted the most. 

Aside from Torres’ game-winner, Montebon and Fransman led Adamson in the closing stretch with clutch shots that prevented UP from snatching the momentum. When State U implemented different zones throughout the game, Adamson kept their offense flowing through different offensive sets, which limited UP’s defensive stability and allowed for great looks beyond the arc.

Austin Ronzone and Joshua Barcelona kept the Fighting Maroons uneasy on the defensive end, and it was just the type of defensive identity that everyone was used to seeing from UP, but this time, it was head coach Nash Racela and his gritty Soaring Falcons.

UP’s limited size and scoring 

Former skipper JD Cagulangan and one-and-done big man Quentin Millora-Brown’s departures have clearly made a mark on the defending champions. Since their last game against the UST Growling Tigers, UP has looked lost offensively, with almost all of their positive stretches coming in the transition.

Alarcon and Abadiano’s efforts were clearly not enough. Other players need to step up to combat the lingering problem of who gets to produce consistently throughout the season, and with Remogat still looking to find his old form, players such as Jacob Bayla and Mark Belmonte need to be integrated into coach Monteverde’s offense more for them to have a chance at winning their first game.

The Fighting Maroons also desperately lack size, as Gani Stevens and Francis Nnoruka’s efforts in the paint look pale in comparison to what QMB did last season. UP employed a small-ball lineup near the end of the final quarter that allowed them to have more freedom in who could produce, but it wasn’t enough. 

The season is still in its early stages, but UP needs to figure out how to plug the holes left by Cagulangan and Millora-Brown quickly to atleast have a chance to make it into the Final Four.

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