ADAMSON put up another defensive masterclass to eliminate National University, 53-41, and remain in contention for one of two remaining Final Four berths in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs were on course of scoring below 40 points for the first time in 13 years until Paul Francisco hit an inconsequential triple in the dwindling seconds. NU only had 39 points in a 22-point loss to Ateneo on Sept. 3, 2011.

But it does not matter for the Falcons, as the San Marcelino-based squad still produced the league’s second best defensive effort this season. Adamson held University of the East to its lowest scoring output in the tournament, pulling off a 45-37 victory last Oct. 30.

The Falcons improved to 5-7, while sending the Bulldogs to early vacation with their ninth loss in 13 games, joining the Blue Eagles (3-9) in the sidelines. Ateneo will miss the Final Four in 13 years after University of Santo Tomas defeated UE, 76-67, late Saturday.

“Ang importante lang is buhay pa kami. That’s something we keep telling the players. Before the game, we told them about the alignment of stars. So, pumuporma pero if we don’t do our part, it will not happen. That’s the challenge we told them before the game,” said Adamson coach Nash Racela.

The chase for the two remaining Final Four berths is now all boiling down to a four-way race with the Red Warriors (6-6), the Growling Tigers (6-7), the Falcons and idle Far Eastern University (5-8).

Adamson is on a must-win situation against UST on Saturday and Ateneo in a still undetermined date to make up from the postponed Oct. 23 game due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

AJ Fransman had a career-high 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists to lead the Falcons.

Defending champion La Salle and University of the Philippines are already clinched twice-to-beat slots in the Final Four.

In the women’s division, NU moved two wins away from securing an outright Finals berth with a wire-to-wire 72-53 victory over Final Four-bound Adamson.

Extending their unbeaten streak to 12 games, the win allowed the Lady Bulldogs to secure a twice-to-beat incentive in a traditional Final Four format.

NU, who is gunning for its seventh elimination sweep in nine seasons, hopes to get the job done in its remaining assignments against also-ran La Salle and FEU.

The Lady Bulldogs will play the Lady Archers on Wednesday before wrapping up the elims against the Lady Tamaraws on Nov. 23.

“We’ll continue to remain at the present. I always tell this na we do not look too far ahead of us. We take it a day and a game at a time. This game is done and over with, but tomorrow, we’ll start ulit to work and to achieve the sweep,” NU coach Aris Dimaunahan said.

The Lady Bulldogs reasserted their dominance of the Lady Falcons, similar to their 74-52 first round result last Sept. 25.

“We know for a fact that today (Adamson) aspired to be the team that would dent our record this season. We know that coming into this game, so we took care of business early,” Dimaunahan said.

Karl Ann Pingol tallied 12 points, six rebounds and two assists while rookie Marga Villanueva contributed 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting for NU.

The Lady Falcons, who were led by Cheska Apag’s 18 points, fell to 8-4.

In a duel of also-rans, Luisa San Juan shot 18 points as La Salle subdued UP, 69-62, for its second consecutive win.

“We are a bunch of competitors. As LaSallians, we are competitors in anything that we do, we want to give our best anytime we step on the floor and with whatever we’re doing both inside the court and outside the court,” said coach Cholo Villanueva. (Theodore P. Jurado)

The scores:

First game (W)

NU (72) – Pingol 12, Villanueva 10, Canuto 9, Surada 9, Clarin 8, Konateh 7, Fabruada 6, Betanio 4, Cayabyab 3, Pagdulagan 2, Solis 2, Pring 0, Alterado 0, Ico 0, Talas 0.
AdU (53) – Apag 18, Limbago 7, A. Alaba 7, Etang 6, Adeshina 4, Ornopia 4, E. Alaba 3, Agojo 2, Bajo 2, Padilla 0, Mazo 0, Manlimos 0, Meniano 0.
Quarterscores: 27-17, 46-28, 59-41, 72-53

Second game (W)

DLSU (69) – San Juan 18, Sario 15, Sunga 14, Mendoza 11, Bacierto 4, Dela Paz 3, Binaohan 2, Paraiso 2, Dalisay 0, Santos 0, Camba 0.
UP (62) – Maw 25, Pesquera 14, Ozar 7, Nolasco 5, Mendoza 4, Bariquit 4, Solitario 3, Lozada 0, Tapawan 0, Vingno 0, Sauz 0, Quinquinio 0, Barba 0.
Quarterscores: 17-16, 36-25, 49-38, 69-62

Third game (M)

AdU (53) – Fransman 18, Calisay 7, Erolon 6, Montebon 6, Yerro 3, Mantua 3, Anabo 2, Ronzone 2, Barasi 0, Ojarikre 0, Ignacio 0, Alexander 0, Barcelona 0, Dignadice 0, Ramos 0.
NU (41) – Palacielo 10, Figueroa 8, Santiago 5, Jumamoy 4, Padrones 4, Francisco 3, Enriquez 3, Manansala 3, Garcia 0, Yu 0, Lim 0, Tulabut 0, Dela Cruz 0, Parks 0.
Quarterscores: 18-7, 28-20, 39-31, 53-41.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado