Adamson University pulled out all the stops in the final minutes to stifle third-ranked Ateneo de Manila University’s fourth-quarter rally, 77-71, and secure at least a playoff spot for the last Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Once again led by the trio of Nigerian center Kemi Adeshina, Elaine Etang, and Cheska Apag, the Lady Falcons — who won four of their last five games to close the eliminations — positioned themselves strongly for the final postseason ticket, claiming solo fourth place in the eight-team field with an even 7-7 record.
The victory also eliminated sixth-placed De La Salle University (5-8) from Final Four contention for the third consecutive year, leaving only Far Eastern University and Adamson to battle for the last postseason slot.
A loss by the Lady Tamaraws — currently fourth with a 6-7 record — against the still-unbeaten University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum would secure Adamson’s return to the Final Four for the second straight year.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Actually, yung sinasabi ko lang nung halftime ay if gagawin lang namin yung trabaho namin nang maayos, bibitaw talaga kami. Sa halfcourt sets, nakukuha namin, na-ccheck namin. It was our own mistakes na nagpapalapit sa kanila. Credits din to Ateneo kasi grabe rin yung adjustments nila coming into this game. Buti na lang, linaban din namin and chineck din namin yung mga adjustments na ‘yon para ma-counter din namin,” Adamson head coach Jed Colonia said.
Ateneo opened the third quarter with a 15-6 run to take a 52-44 lead, but the Lady Falcons responded with a pivotal 23-0 surge that carried into the early stages of the payoff period, building a 67-52 advantage with 9:32 remaining.
The Blue Eagles refused to fold, launching a 19-6 rally — highlighted by back-to-back triples from Camille Malagar and Gracie Batongbakal, along with a free throw from Kacey Dela Rosa — to close the gap to 73-71 with just 56.8 seconds left.
Ateneo’s comeback attempt persisted after forcing a 24-second violation with 31 seconds remaining, but Etang closed the door by stealing the ball from Dela Rosa and feeding Apag for a dagger layup that extended the lead to 75-71 with 18 seconds left, effectively sealing Adamson’s hard-fought victory.
Etang led the Lady Falcons with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, five assists, two rebounds, and one steal, while Apag contributed 18 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Adeshina added 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Novie Ornopia stepped up in Angela Alaba’s absence — who served a one-game suspension after committing a disqualifying foul against La Salle last Wednesday — chipping in 10 points, two rebounds, one steal, and one block.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Ateneo, already assured of the third seed heading into the playoffs, slipped to an 8-5 record with one game remaining — a rivalry matchup against the Lady Archers on Wednesday at the Big Dome.
Dela Rosa paced the Blue Eagles with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks but committed seven of Ateneo’s 26 turnovers, while Hannah Lopez added 14 points.
Nigerian center Sarah Makanjuola posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, alongside three assists and two blocks, while Batongbakal finished with nine points, all coming from three triples.
The Scores:
AdU (77) – Etang 19, Apag 18, Adeshina 14, Ornopia 10, Limbago 7, Bajo 3, Meniano 2, Padilla 2, Muñoz 2, Agojo 0, E. Alaba 0, Cortez 0.
Ateneo (71) – Dela Rosa 18, Lopez 14, Makanjuola 11, Batongbakal 9, Malagar 8, De Luna 6, Oani 3, Villacruz 2, Cancio 0, Olivenza 0, Cruza 0.
Quarterscores: 17-18, 38-37, 65-52, 77-71.
