Jerom Lastimosa leads the Adamson Falcons back to the UAAP Final Four. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Jerom Lastimosa sent the Adamson Falcons back to Round 4 of the Finals after defeating La Salle Green Archers, 80-76, in a decisive game Sunday night at the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
Lastimosa scored 11 of his 22 points in a key stretch in the third inning, putting the Falcons in a tight fight and sinking free throws alongside Joshua Yerro on his way back to the semifinals. of Adamson since the 2018 season.
The Falcons made up the Finals encounter with the highest ranked Ateneo Blue Eagles, who possessed a two-beat advantage and were able to immediately advance to the title of three championships with a win. on Wednesday.
“It’s great to be in the Finals. We’ll be back on Wednesday,” Adamson’s coach Nash Racela said. “But our work is not done yet.”
Evan Nelle was an unfortunate sight after his attempt to turn from the arc that should have had extra time, completely missed the target, sending the Archers out of the semifinals forever.
The Archers once again missed the service of three key players—Kevin Quiambao, Michael Phillips and Schonny Winston—whose absence easily stripped La Salle of much-needed firepower in a game without tomorrow.
Winston, La Salle’s miracle shooting defender, is waiting for his calf injury to heal while strikers Quiambao and Phillips remain at the hospital without any guarantees of when they will be able to play. .
Taking second place after the knockout stage, the defending champion University of the Philippines faces third-placed National University in the remaining semi-finals, with the Fighting Maroons needing just one win to become the winner. Finals again.
The Archers burned the ring with nine thirds early, creating a 10-point gap entering the dugout in the first half.
Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy each had three trebles, and big man Benjamin Phillips was unusually trying to sink his two from afar.
But games are, often, not decided in the first half as the Falcons reverse the trend through Lastimosa’s heroes in season three.
“We are losing by 10 points, but I have told my teammates that it is not over yet. I can really feel that this game is going to be ours,” said Lastimosa.
Scores
ADAMSON 80 — Lastimosa 22, Yerro 13, Manlapaz 11, Douanga 10, Manzano 8, Sabandal 8, Jaymalin 3, Hanapi 2, Flower 2, Torres 1, V. Magbuhos 0, Colonia 0, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0.
LA SALLE 76 — Nelle 22, Nonoy 15, B. Phillips 11, Austria 11, Cortez 10, Abadam 3, Macalalag 2, Buensalida 2, Estacio 0, Nwankwo 0, Manuel 0.
Rounds: 20-27, 38-48, 59-60, 80-76.
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