By: Joaquin Cortez
Adamson University leaned on timely scoring bursts to overcome University of the East, 94-77, and strengthen its Final Four bid in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With the victory, the Lady Falcons improved to 7-4, bolstering their bid for a third consecutive Final Four appearance.
Adamson also moved a full game ahead of Far Eastern University, which holds a 6-4 record.
UE, meanwhile, is set to miss the Final Four for the ninth consecutive year after absorbing its second straight defeat to fall to 1-9 at the bottom of the standings.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“We just take it one game at a time. 7-4 is a 7-4, but we have to finish the business; we have to finish all the games before we would know kung mag-Fi-Final Four or not,” second-year head coach Jed Colonia said of his team’s Final Four chances.
The Lady Falcons have three games remaining in the elimination round, facing last season’s finalists, University of Santo Tomas and National University, with a matchup against De La Salle in between.
Clinging to a slim 15-14 lead, Adamson closed the opening quarter with a 12-2 run, capped by Angeline Alaba’s layup to establish a double-digit cushion, 27-16.
The Lady Falcons carried their offensive momentum into the second quarter, unleashing 10 unanswered points as April Tano’s two-pointer stretched their advantage to 19, 42-23, midway through the period.
UE, however, responded with a 13-0 run to cut the deficit to just six after Sy Onate drilled a triple. Adamson regained its footing in the closing minutes, though, taking a 50-41 lead into halftime.
The Lady Falcons reasserted control in the third quarter, building a 21-point advantage, 67-46. However, the Lady Warriors refused to back down, with Rachel Lacayanga’s layup trimming the deficit to 11, 67-56.
Adamson answered by closing the third period with a 10-2 run in the final two minutes, capped by Elaine Etang’s layup to restore its 19-point cushion, 75-56, heading into the final frame.
vacalares
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
UE made another attempt to mount a late comeback, but Kazel Mazo put the finishing touches on Adamson’s victory with a triple, sealing the Lady Falcons’ second consecutive win.
“We just need to take our shot and get confident, whatever happens. Kailangan lang namin dumepensa kasi doon kami pumupukpok and the offense will follow,” said Jam Meniano, who finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Etang led Adamson with 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while Mazo delivered her best scoring performance of the season with 13 points on four triples. Cheska Apag chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Lacayanga paced UE with a game-high 22 points and seven rebounds, while Moana Vacalares also tallied 22 points, alongside five rebounds and seven assists.
UE will look to snap its losing streak and secure its second win of the season when it faces National University on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
AdU (94) – Etang 18, Mazo 13, Meniano 11, Apag 10, Adeshina 8, Burgos 8, Tano 7, Bajo 5, Carcallas 4, Muñoz 4, Lumbago 2, Medina 2, Alaba 2, Cortez 0, Manlimos 0, Villaester 0.
UE (77) – Lacayanga 22, Vacalares 21, Oñate 13, Buscar 9, Ronquillo 5, Lumibao 4, Gullim 2, Dublar 1, Cruz 0, Sajol 0, Ramos 0, Dalguntas 0, Gutierrez 0.
Quarterscores: 27-18, 50-41, 75-56, 94-77.
