MANILA – Adamson University Falcons got huge baskets in the endgame to beat De La Salle University Green Archers, 80-76, in the knockout game for the last semis seat in UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball on Sunday at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Down by four late in the fourth quarter, Joem Sabandal pulled the Falcons to within a point with a three-pointer before Lenda Douanga surged Adamson ahead 75-74 with a jumper.
The lead went up to 77-74 on an inside basket by Falcons’ Cedrick Manzano but the Green Archers threatened to within 76-77 on a layup by Cyrus Austria off a steal from Adamson’s Jerom Lastimosa.
Lastimosa made up for his crucial miscue by drilling two free throws to increase the Falcons’ lead to 79-76. After a missed three-point attempt by Green Archers’ Evan Nelle, Joshua Yerro sealed the win for Adamson with a split free throw.
“We’re happy to be in the Final Four. We’re actually gatecrashing. People don’t expect us to be in the Final Four, but I’m happy that the team did their part in this situation,” Falcons head coach Nash Racela said.
Lastimosa finished the game with 22 points, with 20 coming in the first three quarters, as the Falcons clinched the fourth and last semifinals seat and will have a twice-to-win disadvantage over no.1 ranked Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles today.
Yerro chipped in 15 markers, including three outside conversions, AP Manlapaz contributed 11 points, while Douanga had 10 markers and seven rebounds for the Falcons.
“Sinabi ko sa teammates ko hindi pa tapos ang game,” Lastimosa recalled telling his teammates when they were down late in the game vs DLSU. “Hindi kami magi-give up talaga and ramdam na ramdan ko talaga na samin ‘yung Final Four.”
Nelle led the Green Archers with 22 points and seven assists, Negrense Mark Nonoy added 15 points, Benjamin Phillips and Austria had 11 points apiece, while Raven Cortez ended with 10 markers.
The Green Archers were shorthanded anew with center Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips out due to undisclosed injuries, while star guard Deschon Winston was barred from joining the team by management./PN
BOX SCORE:
ADAMSON 80 – Lastimosa 22, Yerro 13, Manlapaz 11, Douanga 10, Manzano 8, Sabandal 8, Jaymalin 3, Hanapi 2, Flowers 2, Torres 1, V. Magbuhos 0, Colonia 0, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0.
DLSU 76 – Nelle 22, Nonoy 15, B. Phillips 11, Austria 11, Cortez 10, Abadam 3, Macalalag 2, Buensalida 2, Estacio 0, Nwankwo 0, Manuel 0.
Quarterscores: 20-27, 38-48, 59-60, 80-76.
