Adamson University has been the ‘never-say-die’ team in UAAP Men’s Basketball since Nash Racela took over the Soaring Falcons in UAAP Season 82.
Who could ever forget the game-winners of Lenda Douanga’s winner against La Salle back in Season 85 or Vince Magbuhos’ buzzer-beater against Ateneo a season later?
Just a couple of weeks ago, Racela and his trusted assistant Gilbert Lao designed an epic ‘eye-in-the-sky’ play from Jhon Calisay to Joshua Yerro with just 0.3 seconds left to stun National University.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
But on Sunday, the Soaring Falcons were on the wrong side of an epic moment.
University of the East, which has also embraced the NSD mentality this season, only led two times in the match, but what’s important is that the scoreline read 63-62 in their favor in the end, stunning the Soaring Falcons at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
It took a Wello Lingolingo double-pump off-the-board jumper at the buzzer to give UE its fifth straight win in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Despite being on the other side of a winner, Racela tipped his hat to Lingolingo and UE for never giving up despite trailing for most of the game.
“Congrats to UE. That’s what we told the team after the game—they really deserved that win because they did not stop playing up to the last second, and that’s how we lost,” said Adamson head coach Racela.
“Exciting game, yun nga lang nasa losing end lang kami.”
The Soaring Falcons led 50-42 with 4:42 left in the third but went scoreless for the rest of the quarter while Ethan Galang turned things up for the Red Warriors with back-to-back triples, much to the delight of the huge UE crowd that trooped to the MOA Arena.
Adamson was still on top 62-59 with 2:25 remaining in the game, but Rainer Maga sliced it to one with a drive to the cup before UE held its ground on defense.
Then Lingolingo happened.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Basketball is a game of adjustments. Those that don’t adjust should not be coaching,” said Racela, praising UE head coach Jack Santiago and his staff.
“UE did the right thing and made some adjustments. I think it was Galang who made those two three-pointers that gave them confidence.”
