THE Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons made sure to book the last ticket to UAAP Season 87’s Final Four, as they completed the cast by beating the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 68-55.
Despite being left out of most preseason predictions about which teams would make the Final Four, Adamson was able to sneak into another semifinals.
On Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, the Soaring Falcons routed the then-third-seeded Red Warriors, extending their 15-year Final Four drought.
The San Marcelino-based team earned the fourth spot by improving from a 3-7 record to a 6-8 record to force the playoffs.
Big games for big time players
Big games, as most athletes say, are meant for the best players. Cedrick Manzano showed that he is not frightened of pressure by bearing the load for the whole Falcons squad.
The 6-foot-5 solid big man left everything on the court and concluded the playoff game with 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks, giving Adamson a chance to go to the Finals.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
The Red Warriors did not make it easy for the Soaring Falcons. The Recto-based squad led 10-2 early in the game and appeared to be in perfect control, oozing with confidence.
Adamson’s opening basket came from Joshua Yerro, while Jack Cruz-Dumont and John Abate each scored five points, hitting a two-pointer and a three-pointer alternatively.
Turning it up
However, Matthew Montebon, Manu Anabo, AJ Fransman, and Manzano dropped 18 unanswered points until the 9:10 mark in the second period to take the lead, 20-10.
Adamson extended this momentum into the second half, leading by as much as 58-43 at one point. This allowed the Soaring Falcons to withstand any run that the Red Warriors sent their way late in the game.
Another aspect contributing to UE’s collapse was Precious Momowei’s injury exit, which occurred when he collided with Montebon late in the fourth period and landed hard with his back flat on the court.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
This was when UE made a late push to reduce the gap on their opponents, reaching as close as 10, 48-58, but Adamson seized it as Montebon scored four straight points, built from two free throws and a jumper.
Aside from Manzano, Montebon contributed 13 points, six assists, and three rebounds, while graduating forward Yerro gave it his all, scoring seven points, grabbing seven rebounds, and hitting a dagger three.
Drought continues
Cruz-Dumont, on the other hand, gave his all in his farewell game for the red and white community, scoring 15 points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out four assists.
Ethan Galang and Gjerard Wilson also competed in their final game. Rainer Maga and Abate, meanwhile, both scored 10 points, and Momowei finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks in a devastating loss.
UE was so close to ending their drought following a spectacular 5-2 start in the first round, but then experienced a complete meltdown, finishing 1-6 in the second round, including five straight losses to end it.
Meanwhile, Adamson, which has won four of its past five games after losing five in a row in the eliminations, will meet the top-seeded DLSU Green Archers, who have a twice-to-beat incentive, in the Final Four.
“We’re grateful that in two out of the three knockout games, we’re able to advance,” said AdU head coach Nash Racela, who’ll lead his squad at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Saturday.
“Sabi ko nga the last time, if we need to go through knockout games every year, we’ll go through that just to make it to the Final 4. But I think the beauty about it is that we really gave ourselves a chance,” he added.
The second-seeded UP Fighting Maroons and third-seeded UST Growling Tigers will face off in the other Final Four showdown. The team from Diliman, on the other hand, also has the same advantage as La Salle.
