Adamson University revived its fading UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Final Four hopes by escaping De La Salle University, 61-60, in a thrilling duel on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Soaring Falcons finally snapped a three-game slide, improving their record to 6-7 and moving into solo fifth place — just half a game behind fourth-running Green Archers at 6-6.
Facing the threat of elimination, Adamson overcame a late De La Salle rally from a 55-61 deficit in the final 1:41 to stay alive in the Final Four race.
“We’re just happy to be still alive. We made it clear in the dugout that if you want to live another day, you have really no choice but to win the game… Sabi namin, in the end it will just boil down to whoever wants it more,” said head coach Nash Racela.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Back-to-back jumpers by Mathew Montebon gave the Soaring Falcons a 61-55 cushion, but the Green Archers staged one final push.
Jacob Cortez kickstarted the comeback with a floater over three defenders with 35 seconds left. Then a crucial inbound turnover by Matt Erolon led to an Earl Abadam three-pointer — his first from deep after seven attempts — cutting La Salle’s deficit to a single point, 60-61.
Adamson failed to convert on its next possession, as Erolon’s triple was blocked by Luis Pablo. The Falcons managed to secure the offensive rebound, but Erolon lost control of the ball, giving La Salle one last chance. Abadam launched another three-pointer, but it rimmed out.
“Grab lang namin ‘yung opportunity na ito kasi past three years, ‘yun ‘yung gusto namin na place ‘yung playoffs. May one game pa, hindi pa tapos so ibigay pa namin ‘yung best namin,” said Erolon, who led Adamson with 18 points and added five assists.
Cedrick Manzano contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, while Montebon finished with 10 points.
Manzano and OJ Ojarikre, who had two points and eight rebounds, effectively contained Mike Phillips. The two limited him to just seven points on a dismal 1-of-12 shooting, though he still grabbed 15 rebounds.
Adamson looks to close the elimination round with two straight wins when it faces Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday, putting itself in the best position to reach the semifinals.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Returning from suspension, Vhoris Marasigan scored 15 points and grabbed four rebounds.
However, La Salle suffered its third consecutive loss after earlier defeats to National University and Far Eastern University.
EJ Gollena was the other Green Archer in double digits with 10 points, while Cortez was held to just five points, six rebounds, four assists, and seven turnovers.
La Salle aims to end its three-game slump on Saturday against Final Four-bound University of the Philippines at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
AdU (61) – Erolon 18, Manzano 15, Montebon 10, Fransman 7, Torres 6, Anabo 3, Ojarikre 2, Medina 0, A. Ronzone 0, Perez 0, Jaymalin 0, C. Ronzone 0, Demisana 0, Barcelona 0.
DLSU (60) – Marasigan 15, Gollena 10, Macalalag 8, Phillips 7, Pablo 7, Cortez 5, Abadam 5, Dungo 3, Nwankwo 0, Gomez 0.
Quarterscores: 17-16, 35-31, 45-50, 61-60.
