MANILA -- The Adamson Soaring Falcons are not paper tigers after all as the team bolstered its bid for an encouraging first round campaign since 1994.

The San Marcelino-based squad went out from a humbling setback to an unscathed Far Eastern University last Sunday to upend a shackled University of the East, 69-56, in the 73rd UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.

“This is perhaps our best finish. I think this is the most important win in the first round because we're in the middle of the standings. So this is a good start for us to gain the No. 2 spot because for sure sa FEU na ang No. 1,” said coach Leo Austria.

The former PBA player brought Adamson to its first semifinals appearance since the introduction of the Final Four format under a Ken Bono-led squad in 2006.

The Soaring Falcons, however, lost a possible finals stint at the hands of Ateneo de Manila in a close 73-76 contest last September 17, 2006.

Adamson will wrap up its first round eliminations campaign on August 8, against young gunners from De La Salle University. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)