ADAMSON fell short of taking another step forward towards the UAAP Season 88 Final Four.
With grand plans of closing in on fourth-running La Salle at 6-5, the Soaring Falcons instead dropped a 70-65 decision to the University of the Philippines to go down to 5-7.
READ: UP books seventh straight trip to Final Four at Adamson's expense
Though Adamson gave credit to the Fighting Maroons' championship composure, head coach Nash Racela failed to suppress his frustration on the final stretch of their five-point loss.
“That’s already a lost game, eh. The instruction from our bench was not to foul anymore and lose by four points. Just try to force the five-second violation. If not, you trap right away, and please don’t foul. I’ll take a four-point loss, but the referee still called,” he said, referring to AJ Fransman's foul that sent Reyland Torres to the line with five ticks to go.
Of course, as the Soaring Falcons remain alive and kicking in the playoff race, Racela was eager to improve their odds in terms of point differential - even in defeat.
The outspoken shot-caller, however, lamented their plans didn't come to be no thanks to whistles.
“I really think we gave ourselves a good fighting chance in this game. And at the same time, I felt that the 50-50 calls, especially in the fourth quarter, went UP’s way,” Racela rued.
“Because ang 50-50 is 50-50, it could go either way. But it’s not 50-50 anymore if it always goes to one side, it becomes 51-49.”
Racela has long been generous with his thoughts regarding referees, and he wasn't holding back now the stakes are at an all-time high with just a few games left on the ledger.
As he put it, “Because you know why? Sayang ang effort ng mga bata. You’re robbing the kids of their future for a lot of them. Maraming nanonood sa kanila. Yan ang hindi naiintindihan ng ibang tao, na if they perform well, then they have a good future sa basketball.”
“Akala nila just one game, but they’re taking away from these kids. It's the season and the future of the players. Buti kung pagtatrabahuin nila yan after this, eh hindi naman 'di ba?”
The Racela special is still in play
External frustrations aside, Adamson isn’t completely down for the count, as it has proven time and time again to be capable and confident of pulling off surprises here and there.
And that’s exactly what Racela and Co. are banking on.
“The good thing is, despite the loss today, we still control our chances. We take care of business in the next two games, and most likely, we play our favorite knockout game for the fourth spot," he said, with the Soaring Falcons being regulars in eliminators for playoff berths during his time.
“Again, just like what I said last year, if every year we do this, then we will be ready for that one.“
With their remaining games leaving fewer margins for error, though, Racela had but one simple request: “Just like what I said last week, I just hope they give us a good fighting chance. Bahala na kayo kung sino si they.”
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