Ateneo

Adamson escapes NU on Lastimosa’s heroics

November 27, 2022 Theodore P. Jurado 235 views

ADAMSON gained the upperhand the race for the remaining Final Four berth as La Salle lost to also-ran University of the East in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jerom Lastimosa buried the game-winning triple in the final 5.5 seconds as the Falcons nipped National University, 64-63, dealing the Bulldogs a huge blow on their quest for a twice-to-beat Final Four bonus.

The Red Warriors, playing with nothing left but pride, hurt the Green Archers’ chances in making it to the Final Four chances with an 80-72 overtime win.

Adamson, which has Ateneo as its final elimination round foe, climbed to fourth place with 7-6, while La Salle, which plays University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday, and Adamson, dropped to fifth spot at 6-7.

A victory by the Falcons over the Blue Eagles or a Green Archers loss to the Growling Tigers will give them the last semis spot.

UE has completed a season-sweep of La Salle, which ended a three-game winning streak.

NU wrapped up its elimination round stint with a 9-5 card and its bid for at least a playoff for the remaining twice-to-beat spot in the Final Four is not entirely in its hands. A victory by the Blue Eagles in the last two games will seal the Bulldogs’ No. 3 ranking in the Final Four.

From a Lenda Douanga assist, Lastimosa scored the game’s biggest basket to put Adamson ahead.

Steve Nash Enriquez tried to give the win in NU’s final possession but missed his attempt from downtown in the dwindling seconds.

With the Bulldogs’ tight defense, Lastimosa had to bleed with seven points, missing six of his first seven attempts before the clutch three-pointer.

“I know si Jerom is struggling today, that was obvious because NU made adjustments. But yeah, he made the most important shot of the game. And before it happened, Lenda (Douanga) was able to carry us through,” said Falcons coach Nash Racela.

The Bulldogs sorely missed Kean Baclaan, who was suspended after his ejection in their previous game. He picked up two technical fouls for faking a foul.

Over at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena, seven-peat seeking NU, eyeing a big rebound after its historic 108-game win streak came to an end against La Salle, vented its ire on Adamson, 101-55, to finish the eliminations as the No. 1 team with a 13-1 record.

Far Eastern University, which will miss the Final Four after making the bus for eight consecutive season, ended its campaign with a 77-62 dismantling of Nic Cabañero-less UST.

The Red Warriors and the Tamaraws ended their campaigns with similar 5-9 records in joint sixth.

Cabañero sat out due to a mild ankle sprain injury and the Growling Tigers reeled to their 12th consecutive defeat after a season-opening win over the Falcons.

The scores:

First game

AdU (64) — Douanga 16, Hanapi 9, Manlapaz 8, Lastimosa 7, Yerro 4, Sabandal 4, Fuentebella 3, Jaymalin 3, Colonia 2, Barcelona 2, Manzano 2, Barasi 2, V. Magbuhos 2, Flowers 0, Torres 0.
NU (63) — Enriquez 18, Figueroa 13, John 10, Malonzo 7, Clemente 5, Tibayan 4, Yu 2, Palacielo 2, Manansala 1, Galinato 1, Minerva 0, Mahinay 0, Tulabut 0.
Quarterscores: 18-14, 33-36, 53-48, 64-63

Second game

FEU (77) — Gonzales 15, Sajonia 11, Torres 10, Sleat 9, Sandagon 8, Alforque 7, Tchuente 7, Bautista 3, Gravera 3, Añonuevo 2, Songcuya 2, Ona 0, Tempra 0, Bagunu 0, Celzo 0, Guibao 0.
UST (62) — Lazarte 13, Faye 10, Manaytay 10, Garing 9, Laure 7, Manalang 5, Pangilinan 5, Duremdes 3, Escobido 0, Mantua 0, Herrera 0.
Quarterscores: 24-17, 40-33, 56-45, 77-62

Third game

UE (80) — Remogat 24, K. Paranada 13, Stevens 12, Villegas 10, N. Paranada 6, Gilbuena 5, Pagsanjan 4, Sawat 4, Payawal 2, Tulabut 0, Alcantara 0.
DLSU (72) — Nonoy 14, Austria 10, Nwankwo 10, Nelle 8, Cortez 8, Macalalag 8, Quiambao 7, B. Phillips 4, Estacio 3, Abadam 0.
Quarterscores: 16-27, 36-33, 50-51, 68-68, 80-72.

Games Wednesday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. – DLSU vs UST (Men)
4 p.m. – AdU vs Ateneo (Men)

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