Reeling from a lopsided 49-75 loss to the UST – which dealt a major blow to its Final Four aspirations – Adamson University was left searching for answers to bolster its semifinal chances in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
With its elimination campaign coming down to a do-or-die situation against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the Soaring Falcons lost a key player.
Jhon Calisay was ejected with 31.3 seconds remaining in the second quarter due to two technical fouls.
The first was for taunting, and the second was for delaying the game.
With Calisay out of the picture for such a crucial game, Manu Anabo stepped up to force a playoff for the last Final Four slot against University of the East.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The 6-foot-2 Anabo was the skipper from Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s NCAA Season 98 Juniors’ Basketball campaign, so he’s familiar with high-pressure situations.
And he drained two crucial triples in the fourth quarter to give Adamson a commanding 64-49 lead with 4:55 left, sealing the victory.
“Ito yung winork-out ko talaga nung preseason, and inembrace ko yung role ko, lalo na nawala pa si Calisay. Isa yun sa defensive players namin. Kailangan may mag-cover up yung pagkakawala niya doon. Inembrace ko lang yung challenge na yun na gampanan ng maganda,” Anabo said in the post-game interview.
“Ganito talaga yung gusto sa akin ni coach Nash, yung pagiging 3-and-D – playing defense, ta’s ready lang sa perimeter, sa mga kickout passes, and getting good chances. I know nag-struggle ako ng first half, pero nag-adjust ako nung second half.”
With Calisay most likely missing the do-or-die game against UE due to serving his one-game suspension, Anabo feels determined to step up in his absence and prevent his seniors from playing their final UAAP game.
Anabo plans to join forces once again with Royce Mantua and Matt Erolon, who scored 14 and 11 points, respectively, in Adamson’s rout of Ateneo.
He hopes that together, they can propel the Soaring Falcons to the Final Four for the first time since Season 85 in 2022.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I’ll stay ready. Malalaman naman natin yan kung wala talaga siya. Makakapag-adjust sila coach sa practice, and mas hihigitan pa kasi do-or-die na yun. It will be our last game, or may next game pa,” the 20-year-old guard shared.
Staying true to the words of head coach Nash Racela, Anabo vows to leave everything on the floor against the Red Warriors on Wednesday, as the Soaring Falcons prepare for their third consecutive playoff for the last semifinal slot.
“Yung sinabi ni Coach Nash na wala nang ititira, siguro ito lahat na talaga, wala nang bubunutin. Lahat ilalabas na namin sa next game namin going to the Final Four,” he concluded.
