ADAMSON University held off a late-game rally by the University of the Philippines to solidify its grip on third place in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament, clinching a hard-fought 57-54 victory on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite struggling offensively, the Lady Falcons secured their second consecutive win, improving their overall record to 7-3 and establishing a two-game lead over the Ateneo Blue Eagles, who are set to face the Fighting Maroons on Wednesday.
The victory also ensured a Final Four spot for the idle NU Lady Bulldogs, making them the first team in the women’s division to clinch a semifinal berth.
Meanwhile, UP’s playoff hopes took a hit as they fell to a 3-6 record, remaining in fifth place with five games left in the elimination round.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“If you are aiming for the Final Four, you are not guaranteed after a strong first round, no matter how good of a position you have. We were just telling them that the next three games are very crucial in our bid for a Final Four spot,” said Adamson head coach Ryan Monteclaro.
“Luckily, we are two out of three. With this win, I hope this will provide the momentum we are looking for as we head into the deeper part of the season,” the former Falcon added.
After consecutive layups by Elaine Etang and Kem Adeshina pushed the Lady Falcons’ lead to six points at 53-47, Achrissa Maw and Kaye Pesquera responded with a four-point burst, cutting UP’s deficit to 53-51 with 2:31 remaining.
A crucial inside shot by Jam Meniano fell short, and the Lady Falcons committed an eight-second violation along with a blocking foul, allowing Pesquera to make two free throws and narrow the lead to one at 55-54 with just 16.7 seconds on the clock.
Despite Etang making only one of her four free throws in two late trips to the line, Adamson held on as UP’s Jimenez turned the ball over on their final possession, sealing the victory for the Lady Falcons.
“For a team to shoot 18-of-71 and still win the game shows our character. In the first half, we were so tentative and focused on our attempts. We ended up with 71 attempts to their 51. We became more aggressive, and that was reflected in our defense,” Monteclaro added.
Etang powered Adamson’s victory with 22 points, five steals, four rebounds, and one assist, while Adeshina contributed 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, along with six rebounds and one assist.
Agojo was limited to five points on 2-of-9 shooting but still grabbed seven rebounds, while Apag scored three points but added four assists and two rebounds.
Adamson will look to further cement its third-place position in the eight-team league when it faces the struggling University of the East on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the same Pasay venue.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For UP, Rizza Lozada emerged as the lone double-digit scorer with 13 points and seven rebounds.
Pesquera was limited to nine points on 2-of-8 shooting and seven turnovers but contributed five rebounds and two assists.
Maw chipped in nine points, five rebounds, and one assist, while Louna Ozar added eight points, eight rebounds, four assists, and one steal but turned the ball over nine times.
Christie Bariquit scored five points but also grabbed 11 rebounds and provided two assists.
UP, on the other hand, aims to bounce back against Ateneo on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
ADU (57) – Etang 22, Adeshina 15, Agojo 5, Apag 3, Mazo 3, Padilla 3, Alaba 3, Meniano 2, Limbago 1, Ornopia 0, Cortez 0, Bajo 0, Alaba 0.
UP (54) – Lozada 13, Pesquera 9, Maw 9, Ozar 8, Bariquit 5, Jimenez 5, Vingno 2, Sauz 2, Tapawan 1, Mendoza 0, Nolasco 0.
Quarterscores: 13-14, 30-32, 42-43, 57-54.
