De La Salle University came out firing on all cylinders to eliminate its first-round tormentor Adamson University, 84-69, and keep pace in the tight race for third place in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Final Four on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Green Archers exacted sweet revenge on the Soaring Falcons after falling to them, 60-63, in the first round, when they failed to score at least 20 points in all four quarters.
This time, La Salle made sure the story would be different.
The defending champions exploded for 25 and 23 points in the first two quarters while limiting Adamson to just 15 and 11, respectively, to build a commanding 48-26 halftime lead.
Although their defensive intensity waned in the third quarter, the Green Archers’ offense continued to deliver, allowing them to maintain a comfortable cushion until the final buzzer.
La Salle kept pace with Far Eastern University, with both teams tied for third place at identical 7-5 records. The Green Archers also remained a game ahead of closest pursuer University of Santo Tomas (6-6), which was facing Ateneo de Manila University as of publishing time.
La Salle will next take on University of the Philippines on November 22, also at the Big Dome.
Adamson, meanwhile, fell to 5-8, officially missing the Final Four for the second consecutive season. The Soaring Falcons will look to play spoiler to UST’s semifinal aspirations when they meet on November 25 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
