Nash Racela already knows where to put the ball whenever Adamson University is in danger with the game on the line.
In the first round, the Soaring Falcons suffered a string of heartbreak losses at the hands of several foes. It was against University of the Philippines that Jerom Lastimosa missed a potential game-winning shot, which led them to absorb a 71-72 defeat.
This time around, the Dumaguete native successfully avenged their first-round loss to the Fighting Maroons. Adamson pulled off a 66-58 upset victory thanks to his late-game heroics.
“Para sa’kin super saya namin kasi ‘yun nga three straight wins kami ngayon. Talagang pinaghandaan namin ‘yung UP,” he claimed. “For me, gustong-gusto ko talagang makabawi sa UP kasi ‘yun nga ‘yung nangyari sa first round — iyakin kami palagi. Bumawi talaga kami ngayon na kami naman ‘yung maging masaya.
“Hopefully, etong panalo na ‘to is tuloy-tuloy na and sana tuloy-tuloy narin ‘tong saya na ‘to.”
It was Lastimosa’s clutch three-pointer that gave the Soaring Falcons a 62-57 cushion with 23.3 seconds left. A few possessions later, the Adamson senior also made two free throws after getting fouled to put the game away for good.
The 6-foot guard led the team in scoring with an all-around effort of 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists to go with two blocks and a steal in close to 22:30 minutes of action.
Towards the end of the game, MVP chants were heard from Adamson fans present in the arena. When asked, Lastimosa insisted that he isn’t putting his attention on getting the top individual plum at the moment.
“Para sa’kin ‘di naman ako naniniwala sa mga ganyan eh,” he joked.
“Tsaka na ako maniniwala pag nangyari na talaga.”
With the win, the Soaring Falcons now join FEU and NU for a three-way tie at the fourth spot with a 4-6 record. The grueling hunt for a Final Four spot continues but Adamson will always have a fighting chance as long as they have a reliable closer like Lastimosa playing on the floor.
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