Adamson barges to the Final Four, eliminates La Salle

FILE PHOTO.
Games Wednesday:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2:00 p.m. — UP vs NU
6:00 p.m. — Ateneo vs Adamson
Adamson University recovered from a 13-point third quarter deficit and displayed nerves of steel in the last two minutes to pull off an amazing 80-76 escape over De La Salle University to catch the last bus ride to the Final Four of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 men's basketball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Jerom Lastimosa went quiet in the last frame of the playoff for the no. 4 spot after spewing fire in the first three quarters but the rest of the Falcons carried the scoring load the rest of the way for their first semifinals appearance since 2018.
Adamson will face top seed and twice-to-beat Ateneo de Manila University in the Final Four on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Lastimosa, who missed a couple of games in the second round after right foot injury, fired 22 points including 11 straight in the third period and got six assists to lead the Falcons, who defeated an undermanned Green Archers side missing projected Rookie of the Year Kevin Quiambao and Michael Phillips due to undisclosed illnesses and Schonny Winston (calf injury).
The prized guard sank two crucial free throws in the last 12 seconds to give Adamson a 79-76 separation before Joshua Yerro iced the game with a split from the foul line.
"We're actually gatecrashing to the Finals Four. People didn't expect us to be in the Final Four they expected I don't know what you call it… big spenders. To me, they're all big spenders," Adamson coach Nash Racela said.
"I'm happy the team did their part to be in this situation. I will check our emotions. We don't want to be on a high because may trabaho pa and we're still gonna play Wednesday and the weekend."
Yerro got 13 markers, Adrian Manlapaz posted 11 points while Lenda Douanga had 10 points with his last basket putting Adamson up, 75-74, with 1:30 left.
