Adamson Falcons Hold Off UE Red Warriors, 71-64, in UAAP Second-Round Clash

The Adamson University Falcons leaned on a composed fourth quarter to turn back the University of the East Red Warriors, 71-64, in Philippines University Athletic Association basketball action on Sunday, October 11, 2026. In a game that stayed tight for three quarters, the Falcons pulled away in the final six minutes behind timely perimeter shooting and a stingy defensive stand that forced UE into a series of hurried attempts.

The seven-point margin understates how competitive the contest was for most of the afternoon. Neither side led by more than eight points until the closing stretch, and the Red Warriors were still within a single possession early in the fourth period before Adamson finally created separation.

Match Overview

• Final score: ADU Falcons 71, UE Red Warriors 64
• Competition: Philippines University Athletic Association (UAAP)
• Date and time: October 11, 2026, 2:30 PM
• Result: Adamson wins by 7

Quarter scoring told the story of a game decided by small margins:

• First quarter: Adamson 20, UE 16
• Second quarter: UE 15, Adamson 16 — Halftime: Adamson 36, UE 31
• Third quarter: UE 18, Adamson 16 — End of Q3: Adamson 52, UE 49
• Fourth quarter: Adamson 19, UE 15 — Final: Adamson 71, UE 64

First Half: Falcons Build a Small but Steady Lead

Adamson came out with clear intent, attacking the rim early and drawing contact to get to the free-throw line. The Falcons opened the game with an 8-2 burst and controlled the tempo through most of the opening quarter, using their half-court sets to generate high-percentage looks inside. UE answered with transition baskets, converting a pair of steals into easy points to keep the deficit manageable at 20-16 after ten minutes.

The second quarter turned into a grind. UE's zone look slowed Adamson's interior attack, and the Red Warriors clawed back to within two midway through the period. But the Falcons closed the half on a 6-2 run, capped by a corner three in the waning seconds, to carry a 36-31 cushion into the break. Adamson's rebounding edge on the offensive glass — several of them turned into second-chance points — was the difference in a half where both teams shot the ball unevenly.

Second Half: UE Surges, Adamson Answers

The Red Warriors came out of the locker room as the more aggressive team. A 9-2 run to open the third quarter gave UE its first lead since the opening minutes, forcing Adamson into a timeout. The Falcons responded the way veteran teams do: patiently, through their big men in the post and by slowing the game down to eliminate live-ball turnovers.

From there, the third quarter became a trading of blows. UE's guards found rhythm from beyond the arc, while Adamson kept answering at the rim. The Falcons entered the final period clinging to a 52-49 advantage.

Key Moments of the Fourth Quarter

The game's decisive stretch arrived with just under seven minutes remaining. Trailing 56-54, UE had two possessions to take control but came away empty on both, missing a pair of open looks and committing a costly shot-clock violation. Adamson made them pay immediately.

• A pull-up jumper in the lane pushed the lead to four.
• A steal at midcourt led to a fast-break layup and a six-point cushion.
• A corner triple with 3:40 remaining stretched the margin to 65-56, the largest lead of the game to that point.

UE refused to fold, trimming the deficit to five on a tough and-one with under two minutes to play. But Adamson protected the ball, hit enough free throws down the stretch, and closed the door with a defensive stop in the final thirty seconds to seal the 71-64 result.

Tactical Story: Defense and the Free-Throw Line

Two numbers decided this game. First, Adamson's work on the defensive glass: the Falcons limited UE to very few second-chance opportunities in the fourth quarter, forcing the Red Warriors to score against a set defense. Second, free-throw volume — Adamson consistently put pressure on the rim and earned trips to the line, converting enough of them to keep UE at arm's length even when the Red Warriors found offensive momentum.

UE's game plan was sound. The Red Warriors used their quickness to push the pace and generate open threes, and their zone in the second quarter briefly stalled Adamson's half-court offense. The problem was consistency: every time UE strung together a run, a turnover or a rushed shot allowed Adamson to answer. In a game decided by single digits, those empty possessions were the difference.

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