Adamson University survived a late scare from Far Eastern University, 79-75, to claim solo third place in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
In an immediate rematch of their first-round encounter last Saturday, the Lady Falcons flipped the script and bounced back from their narrow 50-48 loss to the Lady Tamaraws.
With the win, Adamson improved to 5-3 to open the second round, strengthening its bid for a return trip to the Final Four.
FEU, meanwhile, dropped to 4-4 to tie the UP Fighting Maroons for fourth place in the standings.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“We fought through adversity again. Yung injuries, partly in my rotation, we’re gonna be prone sa mga injuries. Pero sabi ko sa dugout, ‘second round, baka naman,’ and they answered that call,” said head coach Jed Colonia.
“After that loss versus FEU, they took time to talk to each other. Thankfully enough, what they proposed to us coaches, yung compromise na nangyari, nagbunga naman,” the former Falcon added.
Holding a 43-35 lead entering the third quarter, the Lady Falcons stretched their advantage to double digits behind Kemi Adeshina’s imposing presence in the paint.
However, the Lady Tamaraws began chipping away at the deficit in the final minute of the period, unleashing a 7-0 run spearheaded by Elaine Patio and Erica Lopez.
Just as Cheska Apag restored Adamson’s double-digit advantage, FEU responded with a 7-1 surge capped by an Amyah Espanol triple to cut the deficit to 65-60 with seven minutes remaining.
The Lady Tamaraws continued to claw their way back, with Lopez knocking down a jumper to bring them within one with four minutes left.
As the Lady Falcons tried to pull away, Shane Salvani drilled a triple to keep FEU within striking distance at 73-72.
The back-and-forth battle continued, with Adamson clinging to a slim lead. Apag’s triple and an Adeshina free throw then gave the Lady Falcons a 77-74 cushion.
Patio once again cut the deficit to one with two minutes remaining, but both teams went cold offensively, struggling to capitalize on their trips to the free-throw line.
With nine seconds left, Victoria Pasilang missed a jumper that could have tied the game, allowing Trix Burgos to calmly sink the game-clinching free throws and seal Adamson’s 79-75 victory.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“The last game against FEU, I said to myself, I’m going to make bawi in the second round. I told the team, we play together, we stick together; it has to be a collective effort,” said Adeshina, who led the Lady Falcons with 25 points and seven rebounds.
“What we have in our head is walang next year. This is the time for us. If we want to be in the championship, this is the time for us,” the graduating center continued.
Elaine Etang added 13 points, three assists, and three steals, while Apag and Jam Meniano chipped in nine points apiece.
Pasilang paced FEU with 18 points, five steals, and four rebounds, while Espanol tallied 16 points and seven rebounds.
Patio finished with 12 points, while Maxene Dela Torre contributed 10.
The Lady Falcons will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, October 31, at noon. Before that, the Lady Tamaraws will look to bounce back against the NU Lady Bulldogs at 10 a.m.
Both games will be held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
AdU (79) – Adeshina 25, Etang 13, Apag 9, Meniano 9, Limbago 7, Alaba 7, Muñoz 4, Bajo 3, Burgos 2, Mazo 0, Medina 0, Manlimos 0.
FEU (75) – Pasilang 18, Espanol 16, Patio 12, Dela Torre 10, Manguiat 9, Salvani 6, Lopez 4, Gavaran 0, Agcambot 0, Peje 0, Ellorimo 0, Kant 0.
Quarterscores: 23-17, 43-35, 59-53, 79-75.
