Adamson gets a new lease on life.
The Adamson University Lady Falcons came storming back 57-53 against the Far Eastern University Lady Falcons to leave the door open for a place in the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four.
Kaye Pingol led the Lady Falcons with 15 points today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Pingol was followed by Jamie Alcoy and Jo Razalo, who scored 11 points each. Nathalia Prado also made 11 points and 12 rebounds.
When asked what made his team win, Adamson coach Mike Fermin called it his players’ “willingness to win.” He expounded, “Nung halftime we were down by six (points). I told them na kung gusto niyo manalo, you need to take it from FEU.”
The Lady Falcons endured a difficult start to the game. The Lady Tamaraws had a 17-29 lead at the 3:39 mark of the third quarter courtesy of Fatima Quiapo’s trey. Undeterred, baskets from Prado and Razalo trimmed the deficit to 24-30 at the break.
The San Marcelino school chased the game in the third quarter, as a Valerie Mamaril freebie maintained FEU’s six-point lead at 38-32. But the Lady Falcons kept pummeling the Lady Tamaraws, and two free throws from Kathleen Araja leveled the scores 39-39.
Four consecutive freebies from Precious Arellado allowed FEU to edge Adamson, 42-43, before the fourth quarter, but momentum was very much on the Lady Falcons’ side.
Deep in the fourth quarter, the Lady Falcons kicked off a 12-2 run capped off by Prado to enjoy their biggest lead of the ballgame at 54-48. That cushion was enough, as Adamson eventually saw the game out with a final score of 57-53 at FEU’s expense.
Inside points and defense won the game for Adamson. The Lady Falcons scored 36 inside points compared to FEU’s 20. They also forced the Lady Tamaraws to commit 33 turnovers, from which they got 22 points.
Arellado carried FEU with 17 points, while Angelica Gerner produced 10 points and 12 rebounds. Yetunde Okunlola also made six points and 12 rebounds.
Adamson (6-8) shall now face Season 79 hosts University of Santo Tomas to determine who gets the last spot in the Final Four. On the other hand, FEU (3-11) have played their last game of the season today.
“Our job is not yet done. We need to hurdle UST. Tinalo kami nung second round, although nanalo kami nung first round. Kailangan namin makabawi. Kung anong nilaro namin ngayon, kailangan dagdagan pa,” concluded Fermin.
The Scores:
AdU (57) – Pingol 15, Alcoy 11, Prado 11, Razalo 11, Camacho 5, Araja 2, Lacson 2, Osano 0, Cabug 0, Dampios 0.
FEU (53) – Arellado 17, Gerner 10, Ventura 8, Okunlola 6, Mamaril 5, Ouano 3, Quiapo 3, Balleser 1, Jumuad 0, Payadon 0, Capua 0, Abad 0.
Quarterscores: 13-17, 24-30, 42-43, 57-53.
