Soaring Falcons first-year player adhered to the team’s system to find his shot in career-high scoring performance.
Adamson first-year player AJ Fransman had an outing to remember on Wednesday as he stepped up big in their breakthrough win over the UE Red Warriors in the second round of UAAP Season 87, scoring 14 points in their 45-37 win at the Mall of Asia Arena.
But during the first two quarters of the game, Fransman hardly looked like the player for the job with the Soaring Falcons needing a win badly to snap a five-game losing slump.
After 20 minutes of play, Fransman only had one point and was 0-of-6 from the field but by the end of the game, he was tied with Matty Erolon as Adamson’s leading scorer with his career-high outing.
[RELATED:
UAAP: Adamson outworks UE in defensive game to snap 5-game slump]
Playing a tale of two halves, Fransman said that it was all about finding his shot within Adamson’s system.
“About sa game, nung first half kasi, so thankful talaga ako sa mga coaches and mga teammates ko kasi lagi nila ako nire-remind about sa game ko. So nung tinignan ko 'yung first half namin, parang more on rushed shots 'yung ginagawa ko,” admitted Fransman.
“Like, hinahanap ko 'yung tira ko and parang nagke-create ako para sa sarili ko, nagke-create 'yung mga teammates ko. Pero 'di kami ganon eh. More on movement kami ng ball.”
The halftime break served as a wake-up call for the Soaring Falcon and a reset to his confidence for a much needed outburst in the second half.
“So nung halftime, sinabihan lang ako ng mga coaches and ng mga teammates ko na keep shooting lang so 'yun nga ginawa ko pa rin 'yung kailangan kong gawin nung second half,” he said.
The pep talk seemed to work for Fransman who spearheaded a 10-0 run to begin the fourth quarter which ultimately created enough distance for the Soaring Falcons against a gritty UE squad.
After entering the final period with only a 1-point lead, 33-32, they were finally able to get back into the win column.
The win came at a perfect time as they avoided a winless outing for the month of October.
Still with a chance to qualify for the Final Four, Fransman will look to contribute more in the coming games of Adamson as the elimination round reaches its final stretch. First, though, the Soaring Falcons will have a lengthy break.
Adamson returns to action on Sunday, November 10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where they face the NU Bulldogs in the prelude to the finals rematch between La Salle and UP later that night.