UAAP: Adamson-UE, battle for the last Final Four spot

THE Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons and University of the East (UE) Red Warriors will play one more game tomorrow, November 27, to determine the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament’s Final Four. 

After weeks of anticipation, the last team to catch the bus for this year’s much-anticipated Final Four will finally be decided between the Soaring Falcons and the Red Warriors at the SM Mall of Asia Arena at 6:30 PM.  

Both teams, however, have different momentum heading into the final game. Adamson defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles 69-55, while UE fell to the UP Fighting Maroons, 67-77. 

Now that everything is on the line, each of these teams will give everything they’ve got to secure the final spot in the semis. Fighting for survival, however, is nothing new for these teams.

Soaring through familiar territory

The San Marcelino-based club will rocket back into familiar territory, this time with not only momentum but also experience. Adamson will play their third Final Four playoff game in three seasons. 

In Season 85, the Soaring Falcons faced the DLSU Green Archers in a knockout game, which they won 80-76. Jerome Lastimosa, a former Adamson star, led them alongside Joshua Yerro. 

However, in Season 86, the Ateneo Blue Eagles defeated the Soaring Falcons 70-58 in a knockout game for the final Final Four spot, sending them home despite their incredible season even without Lastimosa.

Given Adamson’s previous experience with knockout matches, head coach Nash Racela is willing to go through it again if it means advancing to the semi-finals.

“We’re willing to go through that every year if that’s our shot to make it to the Final Four. We’re just thankful, really grateful that the Lord blessed us with this win today,” said Racela during the postgame press conference.

“Alam ko ‘yung mga players namin really deserve it, because we still have a chance. It’s something we preach to them. As long as you do your part, you will get rewarded,” he added.

Adamson will rely on Matt Montebon, Cedrick Manzano, Anthony Fransman, Matt Erolon, and Joshua Yerro to carry them in a game that will either extend or end their UAAP career. 

Warriors take stand

The Recto-based club, which appeared to be a force to be reckoned with this season, suffered a terrible twist of fate when they found themselves on a five-game losing skid before the elimination round. 

Fortunately, the Red Warriors still have a chance to break their 15-year drought of missing the Final Four and take a much-needed stand to fight for another day in Season 87.

Despite hanging by a thread, UE head coach Jack Santiago believes that the entire Red Warriors team, from players to coaches, would approach the do-or-die game against Adamson with a fresh perspective.

“Adamson played well. They prepared for Ateneo, but siguro ganon lang din gagawin namin. We’ll prepare for them on Wednesday,” Santiago told the Tiebreaker Times in an interview.

“Actually, medyo mahirap because mentally, medyo down yung mga players or even yung coaches, but we just need to compete on Wednesday.”

“We had a talk with the players yesterday and sabi ko nga, nag-reset kami, 0-0. Hopefully, maglaro kami ng maayos. It’s a do-or-die, no turning back, there’s no tomorrow,” Santiago added.

Santiago also revealed that some of his important players, including Ethan Galang, Wello Lingolingo, and Precious Momowei, had been struggling. Rainer Maga, John Abate, and Devin Fikes stepped up, expecting that their main players would recover. 

The winner of Adamson vs. UE will meet the defending champions DLSU Green Archers, who are already preparing for the Final Four on Saturday, November 30, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.