By: Joaquin Cortez
Adamson University made quick work of De La Salle University, 76-57, to move closer to a third consecutive Final Four appearance in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With the victory, the Lady Falcons improved to an 8-5 record with one game remaining, completing a season sweep of the Lady Archers in the process.
Adamson also surpassed last season’s 7-7 record and currently holds a two-game lead over fourth-running Ateneo de Manila University (6-5) in the race for a Final Four berth.
The Lady Falcons will shoot for a Final Four spot when they face defending champion University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 12:00 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“I am really happy, especially with their personal growth from last season to this season. They really bought into the system, and they really gel with each other, and they really stuck with what we have, and what we brought in as coaches,” said Adamson head coach Jed Colonia, reflecting on his team’s success this season. “I am really happy as a coach. What we dreamed of or what we foresee in the past, eto na ‘yun.”
After holding a slim 7-6 lead early in the opening quarter, the Lady Falcons went on a 22-7 run, capped by Kemi Adeshina’s layup, to build a 29-13 advantage midway through the period.
Cheska Apag and Elaine Etang continued to punish the Lady Archers in the second quarter, combining for 25 first-half points as Adamson extended its lead to 22 at halftime, 53-31.
However, the Lady Falcons suffered an injury scare in the third quarter when Apag was stretchered off the court following a collision with Zyla Lubrico during a loose-ball play. She appeared to lose consciousness after the incident and exited the game with 7:04 remaining in the period. Apag would return to the bench but was no longer fielded minutes later.
Despite Apag’s absence, Adamson maintained its comfortable cushion, with Etang converting a midrange jumper to preserve a 66-44 advantage.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Lady Falcons continued to keep La Salle at bay down the stretch, as Etang’s layup extended their lead to 70-48 with less than five minutes remaining, bringing Adamson closer to another Final Four appearance.
“For me, this game was all about heart and pride, and kung sinong mas willing to win this game,” said Etang, who paced the Lady Falcons with a game-high 22 points, four rebounds, and three assists. “I am very proud of my teammates kasi grabe ‘yung effort nila and na-appreciate ko talaga, pati ang coaches.”
Apag was Adamson’s second-leading scorer with 15 points, five rebounds, and eight steals before leaving the game in the second half. Kemi Adeshina added 11 points and six rebounds, while Jam Meniano contributed 10 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.
For La Salle, Favour Ojo led the Lady Archers with 14 points and 18 rebounds, while Kyla Sunga chipped in 12 points in the losing effort.
The Lady Archers will look to snap their losing streak after a week-long break when they take on the University of the Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 10:00 a.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
AdU (76) – Etang 22, Apag 15, Adeshina 11, Meniano 10, Bajo 9, Muñoz 8, Alaba 1, Burgos 0, Mazo 0, Limbago 0, Medina 0, Carcallas 0, Cortez 0, Tano 0.
DLSU (57) – Ojo 14, Sunga 12, Bacierto 6, Delos Reyes 6, Dueñas 4, Villarin 3, Tenebro 3, Anastacio 3, Araza 2, Go 2, Lubrico 2, Teves 0, Dizon 0, Villapando 0.
Quarterscores: 29-15, 53-31, 66-45, 76-57.
