Adamson University soared into the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Final Four with a resounding 68-55 victory over the University of the East in a playoff for the fourth seed on Wednesday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Soaring Falcons completed an incredible turnaround, recovering from a 3-7 record to finish 6-8 and force the playoff. This decisive win marks their return to the semifinals after missing out last season.
Adamson, which won four of its last five games after enduring a five-game losing streak in the middle of the eliminations, now faces top-seeded De La Salle University. The Green Archers, holding a twice-to-beat advantage, dominated their two elimination round encounters against Adamson with convincing victories, 82-52 and 70-45.
In the other semifinal matchup, the second-seeded University of the Philippines faces third-seeded University of Santo Tomas. The Fighting Maroons also enjoy a twice-to-beat edge.
“Sabi ko nga the other day, if we need to go through a playoff every year, we’ll go through it. The beauty about it is we really gave ourselves a chance. The players, more specifically, did their part getting here, but we still have a job to do,” said Adamson head coach Nash Racela.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UE started strong, opening with a 10-2 lead at the 6:22 mark of the first quarter.
However, Adamson quickly seized control with an 18-0 run led by Matty Erolon, Cedrick Manzano, Manu Anabo, and AJ Fransman, bridging the first and second quarters to take a 20-10 advantage.
From there, the Falcons matched the Warriors basket-for-basket, neutralizing every attempt at a comeback.
“Sobrang thankful ako sa team namin kasi nalampasan namin itong knockout game. Nagtulungan lang talaga kami,” said Manzano, who delivered his best performance of the season with 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Mathew Montebon contributed 13 points, six assists, and three rebounds, while graduating forward Joshua Yerro added seven points and seven rebounds.
Adamson’s defense was on full display, limiting UE’s bench to just one point. Key contributors like Wello Lingolingo (0-of-3) and Ethan Galang (0-of-7) were held scoreless, a testament to Adamson’s defensive tenacity.
UE’s season, which began with promise after a stellar 5-2 first round, ended in heartbreak.
The Red Warriors faltered with a 1-6 record in the second round, including five consecutive losses. Their Final Four drought now extends to 15 years.
The game took a grim turn at the 3:25 mark of the fourth quarter when UE’s Nigerian center Precious Momowei collided mid-air with Montebon.
Momowei was stretchered off the court wearing a neck brace after lying in pain for six minutes.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Despite the loss, team captain Jack Cruz-Dumont left everything on the floor in his final game, tallying 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Fellow seniors Galang and Gjerard Wilson also bowed out, unable to help UE overcome Adamson’s dominance.
Rainer Maga and John Abate chipped in 10 points apiece for UE, while Momowei finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks before his injury.
With their season on the line, Adamson’s resilience paid off.
The Falcons now turn their attention to De La Salle in what promises to be a tough semifinal battle.
The Scores:
AdU 68 – Manzano 17, Montebon 13, Yerro 7, Mantua 6, Erolon 5, Anabo 5, Fransman 5, Ojarikre 4, Ramos 3, Alexander 3, Barasi 0, Ronzone 0, Dignadice 0, Barcelona 0, Ignacio 0.
UE 55 – J. Cruz-Dumont 15, Maga 10, Momowei 10, Abate 10, Fikes 9, Lingolingo 1, Wilson 0, Galang 0, Mulingtapang 0, Spandonis 0, Go 0.
Quarterscores: 16-10, 39-30, 52-40, 68-55.
