ADAMSON pulled off a gallant 68-62 win over National University to stay alive in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball Final Four race at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
Didat Hanapi led the way with 13 points and six rebounds for the Falcons, who, at 6-7 (win-loss) can still drag Ateneo into a playoff for fourth and final semifinal spot with a win over University of the East and a Blue Eagles loss to rival La Salle.
Matthew Montebon and Ced Manzano pitched in 12 points apiece as big plays from Eli Ramos (seven points) ultimately kept an embattled Adamson side afloat.
READ: Ateneo ousts UE, secures at least a playoff for Final Four berth
"It’s always tough when you face NU. Every time we faced them over the years, laging ganito ‘yung game, close. NU’s a very tough team," said Adamson head coach Nash Racela.
"I was surprised when I looked at the stats. We out-rebounded them 42 to 34 when they’re a great rebounding team. I think this is probably one of the reasons why we gave ourselves a chance, you know. We were able to out-rebound them but at the same time, ‘yung second chance points, they only had three. That was the key for us," he added.
The Bulldogs' starting unit pulled through with 50 points led by Kean Baclaan, who had nearly half of the total output with 24 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, compared to the Falcons' 18.
But it was the 50-point production of Adamson's bench (versus NU's 12) which carried more weight as the four above-mentioned top scorers — who were all second stringers — combined for 44 of the 50 pitched in by the reserves.
As Adamson held on for dear life in the endgame to save its season, NU slid to 10-3 and drew level with La Salle for second place ahead of its prelims finale versus the league-leading UP Maroons this weekend.
The scores:
AdU (68) – Hanapi 13, Montebon 12, Manzano 12, Ramos 7, Ojarikre 7, Yerro 6, Erolon 4, Calisay 3, Magbuhos 2, Barasi 2, Colonia 0, Barcelona 0, Anabo 0, Cañete 0.
NU (62) – Baclaan 24, Figueroa 13, Lim 6, Palacielo 5, John 5, Yu 4, Malonzo 2, Manansala 2, Jumamoy 1, Padrones 0.
Quarterscores: 25-17, 40-33, 50-42, 68-62
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
