Needing a win to book their ticket to the Final Four boat, the Adamson University Lady Falcons lit it up Friday afternoon, torching the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, 80-65, at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
With the win, Adamson could go to as high as second for an outright semis berth with a 9-5 record. And this result was an unexpected one for Lady Falcons head coach Ewon Arayi.
“Praise God! Unexpected! Ang goal ko lang is pasok yung mga bata na ito sa Final Four. Sabi ko nga, this is just my first year, kahit fourth spot okay na,” shared the Adamson legend as her team started the season at sixth with a 1-2 record.
As of publishing, the FEU Lady Tamaraws are taking on the NU Bulldogs. If FEU falls to NU, the Lady Falcons and the Lady Tamaraws will figure in a playoff for the second seed on Wednesday, November 21.
And it was sophomore guard Mariz Cacho who took the role as sparkplug for the Lady Falcons. The spunky guard finished with 20 points built on six triples.
“Unbelievable ang nilaro ni Cacho. Ito yung spark na hinahanap namin. Pag pinasok mo siya, alam mo ng papasok tira niya,” gushed Arayi.
Cacho and Mar Prado led the Lady Falcons’ third quarter barrage while Jamie Alcoy provided the finish to give Adamson an 18-point cushion entering the final frame.
“Yung adjustment ng team at adjustments ko sa team buti na lang gumana. Tinrabaho ng mga bata ito,” added the National Team stalwart. “From bench to my starters, talagang tinrabaho nila. Sabi ko nga, ito yung hinahanap ko na team — puro fighters. Naglalaro sila para sa school, para sa pamilya nila, at para sa Diyos.”
Adamson would lead by as much as 25 points, 76-51.
Mar Prado picked up another double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds while Alcoy added 11 markers. Kath Araja glued things together with nine points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals, ending up with a plus-20 efficiency.
Cara Buendia and Jollina Go played their final game for the Lady Eagles, who finish the season at sixth place with a 4-10 record. Buendia had 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting while Go had seven markers.
Super rookie Joanne Nimes had 15 points as well while Katrina Guytingco chipped in 10 markers.
The Scores:
ADU 80 — Cacho 20, Prado 20, Alcoy 11, Araja 9, Bilbao 8, Rosario 5, Camacho 3, Razalo 2, Aciro 2, Cabug 0, Osano 0, Tandaan 0.
ADMU 65 — Buendia 15, Nimes 15, Guytingco 10, Go 7, Villamor 6, Cancio 5, Chu 3, Joson 2, Quirante 2, Newsome 0, Moslares 0, Miranda 0, Payac 0, Gino-gino 0, De Dios 0, Aquisap 0.
Quarterscores: 16-14, 40-32, 66-48, 80-65.
