The NU Bulldogs aim to keep their momentum going with a third straight win. But the Adamson Soaring Falcons will try to keep them leashed with a defensive stop in UAAP Season 87 this Sunday.
The Adamson Soaring Falcons and NU Bulldogs face off in a high-stakes battle for a Final Four spot in UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball on Sunday, November 10 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Both teams are determined to secure their place in the Final Four, with Adamson holding a 4-7 record and NU closely behind at 4-8, tied with FEU for sixth and seventh in the standings.
The Bulldogs, who have struggled without their foreign student-athlete, are building momentum at a critical time, earning their first back-to-back wins of the season.
After a stunning 67-47 upset against Final Four-bound UP, NU followed up with a gritty 67-62 victory over UST.
Coach Jeff Napa responded to critics after the UST win, asserting the Bulldogs' recent success proves the upset was no fluke.
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Their recent victories have been fueled by second-half surges, with Patrick Yu scoring 12 of his 17 points in the second half against UP and Jake Figueroa contributing all 13 of his points in the latter half against UST.
Jolo Manansala top-scored for NU with 18.
Adamson, meanwhile, is coming off a low-scoring, defensive showcase in a 45-37 victory over the UE Red Warriors.
[ALSO READ: Nash Racela happy to see Adamson avoid no-win October with breakthrough over UE]
This marks the lowest score for UE since 2003 and the first time a team has scored below 40 in the post-pandemic era, according to statistician Pong Ducanes.
First-year player AJ Fransman led Adamson’s offensive charge, scoring 13 of his career-high 14 points after halftime to secure the win.
With both teams fighting to keep their Final Four dreams alive, this matchup promises intensity as Adamson and NU lay it all on the line to extend their season.
The match will air on One Sports, the UAAP Varsity Channel, and the Pilipinas Live app.
[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]