Adamson wingman and former UST player Royce Mantua. Photo from UAAP Images.MANILA — Adamson University leaned on a balanced attack in its win against University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Sunday. 

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Led by Matt Montebon, three Soaring Falcons finished in double digits versus the Growling Tigers en route to clinching their second win in as many games. 

Also among those who stood out for them was former UST Tiger Royce Mantua. The 6-foot-4, 22-year-old, finished with 11 points and two rebounds against his previous squad, and he admitted that there was added motivation in facing the España-based team. 

“For sure [I was motivated], playing against my old teammates as well,” the Filipino-Australian said during the postgame presser.

Mantua spent two seasons in UST and won a 3x3 title in Season 84, and he then made his transfer to San Marcelino right before Season 86 in 2023 started.

“Why did I move to a different school? It is because of their old system,“ the wingman told ABS-CBN News in a separate interview. 

”I really didn’t fit in it too much. They are playing me more like a big, but I’m more of a guard. With UST’s system, they were putting me in a different system,” he explained. 

Now that he is with the Nash Racela-mentored team, Mantua Is glad that he gets to finally play his natural position. 

“It feels really great to be really back on the court and represent a new school. They also put me as a huge guard, playing one through three, so they helped me improve my game. I felt really well with Coach Nash’s system,” he said, while also sharing how he spent his year of residency. 

”I was playing a lot for their Team B, and I was helping with last year’s team for scouting,” revealed Royce. 

Now sitting at 2-1 in the standings, and with how the league is currently taking shape when it comes to injuries and team developments so far, Mantua is optimistic that with the right process, Adamson has the capabilities to enter the semifinals.

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Adamson wingman and former UST player Royce Mantua. Photo from UAAP Images.

“I believe that the team can make it to the Final Four. If we stick to our system and we play together, we definitely have the opportunity to enter the Final Four,” he said.

“We need to be more focused — tunnel vision — and stay in it so we can get the win every time.”

But aside from this, also a part of Mantua’s goal for the season is to prove his worth not only with UST, but also to make a name for himself in the UAAP. 

“It would say that, I would say that it’s a revenge game,” said Royce, who has a year of eligibility left with Adamson after the present season.

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