Mostly composed of seniors, Adamson University leaned on its experience and composure to grind out a 66-59 victory over the University of the Philippines, gaining a crucial step forward in the tight UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Final Four race on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The win improved the Lady Falcons’ record to 6-4, tying them with the FEU Lady Tamaraws for third and fourth places while putting them just half a game behind second-running NU Lady Bulldogs (6-3).
By completing an elimination-round sweep of UP, Adamson handed the Diliman-based squad its third consecutive loss, dropping the Fighting Maroons to a 4-5 record and a tie with Ateneo de Manila University for fifth place.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“We’re just taking it one game at a time, especially that the Final Four race is heating up and it’s tighter than ever. What I told the girls lang before the game is this is na opportunity for us to separate the standings,” said Lady Falcons head coach Jed Colonia.
Adamson appeared headed for a comfortable victory after building a commanding 27-10 lead early in the second quarter. However, UP fought its way back, trimming the deficit to just five points at halftime, 38-33.
The Lady Falcons, however, showed greater composure down the stretch, with clutch baskets from leading scorers Elaine Etang and Cheska Apag, alongside the timely contributions of Eline Alaba, proving crucial.
The trio traded baskets with Fighting Maroons Tiani Abrams and Louna Ozar as the contest remained tight entering the final two minutes.
With Adamson clinging to a one-point lead, Alaba, who entered the game shooting just 28.5 percent from beyond the arc, knocked down a crucial triple to extend the Lady Falcons’ advantage to 63-59 with 1:44 remaining.
Adamson then relied on its defensive effort to seal the victory, holding UP scoreless over the final two minutes and five seconds.
Etang led the Lady Falcons with 18 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Kemi Adeshina chipped in 12 points and six boards.
Alaba, meanwhile, more than doubled her averages of 3.5 points, 2.38 rebounds, and 0.5 assists, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. She also added one steal and one block while posting a game-best plus-15 rating in 25 minutes off the bench.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Shanina Tapawan paced the Fighting Maroons with 11 points, while Ozar finished with 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field.
Kennan Ka struggled offensively, converting just one of her 10 attempts from the field to finish with four points. Camille Nolasco also had a quiet outing, recording two points, four assists, and three rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Saturday at the Big Dome. Adamson looks to strengthen its hold on a Final Four spot when it takes on the University of the East at 10 a.m., while UP aims to snap its losing streak against Ateneo at 12 p.m.
The Scores:
AdU (66) – Etang 18, Alaba 14, Adeshina 12, Apag 9, Meniano 6, Tano 3, Bajo 2, Burgos 2, Muñoz 0, Limbago 0, Mazo 0, Manlimos 0.
UP (59) – Tapawan 11, Ozar 10, Cunanan 8, Francis 6, Pesquera 5, Loon 5, Abrams 5, Ka 4, Vingno 3, Nolasco 2, Maw 0.
Quarterscores: 24-10, 38-33, 47-48, 66-59.
