Against a National University team bound for the Final Four, Adamson University displayed its determination to stay alive in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Final Four.
The Soaring Falcons had already lost Jerom Lastimosa to an ACL injury earlier this season. Today, they played without Joem Sabandal for the second straight game.
Still, Adamson defied the odds, shocking the Bulldogs 68-62 on Wednesday to deny Ateneo de Manila University a semifinals berth.
In their previous game – a 62-58 loss to the Blue Eagles – they also faced issues. Head coach Nash Racela pointed out the wide free throw and foul disparity in the fourth quarter, as well as missed calls that favored Ateneo.
Encountering different obstacles, whether in the form of injuries, officiating, or other challenges, Racela is proud of the way his Falcons never folded.
“Last time I talked about how proud I am of our players, of our team because despite the odds and the challenges that have been in front of us the whole year, ito nga, buhay pa rin,” said the third-year Adamson coach.
“Ibig sabihin, we’re competing as a team. The players deserve credit because they’ve been doing their part. Kaya the last time I talked, it was really coming from the heart kasi ang gusto ko maging masaya dito ay yung mga bata,” he continued, referencing his post-game interview against Ateneo last Sunday.
The win put Adamson at 6-7, a game behind 7-6 Ateneo, which currently holds the fourth spot.
The Blue Eagles can secure the last spot in the Final Four with just a win against the De La Salle Green Archers on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
On the other hand, the Falcons need two things to force a playoff for the final ticket.
Adamson will first hope for an Ateneo loss on Saturday. Then they must win against the University of the East on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Natutuwa ako kasi now, yung mga trabaho na pinapasok nila they are getting rewarded, and that’s something that we always tell them, as long as you do your part putting in the work, then marereward kayo,” shared Racela.
“I think today the reward is buhay pa nga tayo. That was the goal coming into today’s game, ayaw natin mamatay ngayong araw because they know how important the game was today,” he added.
Regardless of what happens on Saturday, Racela and his wards are only focused on Sunday’s matchup against the Red Warriors.
“Focus on them, do our part, prepare for them and hopefully we take care of business on Sunday. I know we don’t have full control of our chances sa Final Four, but our main focus is just our game,” said Racela.
