Adamson University held off University of the Philippines, eking out a 62-61 victory to snap its four-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Basketball Tournament, Wednesday at University of Santo Tomas’ Quadricentennial Pavillion.
It was a crucial win for the Lady Falcons, who last won a game back on October 12 — a 96-61 win over Far Eastern University, as they tied the Fighting Maroons with identical 3-6 slates — just 2.5 games behind Ateneo de Manila University at fourth. The Blue Eagles are facing National University as of publishing.
“Talagang must-win namin yung game na ito. Sabi ko nga, nasa ICU (Intensive Care Unit) kami ngayon at dead or alive kami,” said first year Lady Falcons head coach Brian Gorospe.
“It’s just that yung mga games namin before, hindi namin maisara ng maayos even kahit wala si Dindy [Medina]. Nag-focus na lang kami kung sino ang mga nasa loob, lalo sila [Rose Ann] Dampios kasi sila yung leaders namin ngayon,” added Gorospe, as Medina missed her third straight game after sustaining an apparent knee injury against Ateneo last October 19.
Adamson though needed to buck a late UP surge to get this one.
Leading by as high as 13 points early in the third canto, the Fighting Maroons clawed back, tying the game at 61-all after a Kaye Pesquera bucket with 46.3 seconds remaining.
On the other end, Leslie Flor was fouled, sending her to the stripe. She converted one of her pressure-packed free throws to put the Lady Falcons ahead by one.
With 6.7 seconds left, Rhea Sanchez missed an ill-advised triple. Adamson was able to secure the board and the win.
Dampios, a third-year Lady Falcon, led Adamson with 20 points, seven rebounds, and five steals. Meanwhile, Nigerian center Victoria Adeshina added 12 points, 12 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks.
It was a tough loss for UP since it missed 20 free throws in the contest, going 11-of-31 from the stripe.
Sanchez was the leading scorer for UP with 15 points, while Acrissa Maw got nine rebounds and eight points.
The Scores:
Adamson 62 – Dampios 20, Adeshima 12, Catulong 9, Ornopia 6, Alaba 5, Flor 3, Padilla 2, Agojo 2, Etang 2, Meniano 1, Tano 0, Dela Cruz 0, Carcallas 0.
UP 61 – Sanchez 15, Larrosa 9, Maw 8, Lozada 7, Bariquit 6, Tapawan 5, Domingo 4, Pesquera 4, Vingno 2, Rivera 1, Jimenez 0, Sauz 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarterscores: 19-10, 35-24, 51-45, 62-61.
