From The Wires
Adamson University and National University will put their unbeaten slates on the line after the two schools disposed of their respective foes to forge an all-UAAP championship round in the 2024 ANTA Asiabasket International Championship on Monday at the Enderun Colleges, BGC.
The Soaring Falcons gutted out a hard-fought 74-73 overtime win against no-quit De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in their semifinals encounter while the Bulldogs escaped from Far Eastern University with a nail-biting 85-79 triumph.
Adamson and National U, both boasting an undefeated record, will face off on Tuesday at 6 p.m. with a chance to sweep their way to the title. Serving as the appetizer to the finale showdown will be the battle for third place between the Blazers and the Tamaraws at 4 p.m. at the same venue.
On the way to the the finals, the Soaring Falcons and the Bulldogs had to first face their toughest opponents yet.
Adamson caught fire from downtown early in the fourth with Matt Erolon, Emman Anabo, and Joshua Yerro knocking down a triple each for a 66-61 lead.
But they could not capitalize on error-plagued Benilde, allowing the other side to unload a 7-0 run and force a 68-all deadlock with Justine Sanchez nailing two crucial baskets to drag the Soaring Falcons to overtime.
Adamson made sure to open the extra period on a strong note, unfurling a 6-0 blast that catapulted them to a 74-68 cushion before a Sanchez triple inched Benilde closer, 74-73.
Holding on to that one-point lead, Adamson had the chance to further widen the gap but Anabo muffed a pair of freebies in the final 4 seconds. Still, Benilde could not complete the upset as Ian Torres went wide on a potential game-winning floater.
Cedrick Manzano paced the Soaring Falcons with 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals while Erolon and Jhon Calisay chipped in 12 and 10 markers apiece.
In the second game, a similar tight affair transpired with FEU rookie Veejay Pre scoring five straight points that had the Tamaraws cutting the deficit to one, 72-73, in the payoff period.
But Reinhard Jumamoy had the best response, countering with back-to-back three-pointers before Omar John sank two consecutive baskets for an 83-79 advantage. And it was Steve Nash Enriquez’ reverse layup that put the nail in the coffin for NU.
John shone with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds while Enriquez logged 17 markers, three boards, five assists, and two steals. NU spoiled Pre’s best scoring output after the rookie sensation poured in 28 points together with nine rebounds, three assists, and one block.
THE SCORES:
FIRST GAME:
Adamson Soaring Falcons (74) – Manzano 19, Erolon 12, Calisay 10, Fransman 9, Torres 8, Anabo 7, Gaye 4, Yerro 3, Competente 2, Ignacio 0, Pacquiao 0, Cañete 0, Ronzone 0, Sicat 0.
Benilde Blazers (73) – Eusebio 17, Ancheta 10, Torres 9, Sanchez 9, Oli 9, Turco 6, Sangco 5, Arciaga 3, Ondoa 3, Serrano 2, Jarque 0, Jalalon 0, Morales 0, Cajucom 0.
SECOND GAME:
NU Bulldogs (85) – John 18, Enriquez 17, Yu 12, Figueroa 12, Jumamoy 11, Diassana 4, Garcia 2, Francisco 2, Padrones 2, Manansala 2, Santiago 2, Reyes 1, Lim 0, Perciano 0.
FEU Tamaraws (79) – Pre 28, Pasaol 17, Konateh 13, Felipe 10, Ona 6, Daa 3, Bagunu 2, Jones 0, Montemayor 0.
Games on Tuesday (July 16):
4 p.m. – CSB vs FEU (3rd place game)
6 p.m – NU vs Adamson (Finals)
