By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – Adamson University stunned De La Salle University, 80-76, to secure the last Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, December 4, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“We’re happy to be in the Final Four. We’re actually gatecrashing the Final Four. People didn’t expect us to be in the Final Four, they expected [big] spenders. To me, they’re all big spenders but I’m happy the team did their part,” said Adamson coach Nash Racela.
La Salle led by as much as 13 points in the third quarter, 51-38, but Jerom Lastimosa dropped 11 of his 22 points to boost Adamson within one at the end of the quarter, 59-60.
The Soaring Falcons took the lead in the fourth quarter after Lenda Douanga drained a basket, followed by a Cedrick Manzano reverse lay-up to give Adamson a three-point advantage, 77-74, 58.8 seconds left.
Green Archer Evan Nelle stole Joem Sabandal’s inbound to bury a lay-up, and inch within one, 76-77, 15.4 ticks to go.
A foul was called on La Salle, putting Lastimosa on the line who drained both his free throws to give the Soaring Falcons a three-point lead anew, 79-76.
Nelle tried to keep La Salle close, but his three-point attempt failed. Joshua Yerro iced the game from the charity stripe for Adamson.
Lastimosa led Adamson with his 22 points, six assists and a steal, while AP Manlapaz added another 22 markers. Yerro chipped in 13 markers and six rebounds, while Douanga got 10 points and seven rebounds.
“We will check our emotions because we don’t want to be in a high because may trabaho pa and we’re still gonna play Wednesday and the weekend,” said Racela as the Soaring Falcons will face top seed Ateneo de Manila University, which has a twice-to-beat advantage on Wednesday, December 7, at 6pm at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
On the other hand, Nelle led La Salle with 22 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, while Mark Nonoy had 15 markers as they end their UAAP Season 85 campaign.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @meanxi
