November 23, 2024

Adamson soars past Ateneo to set up UAAP Final Four playoff against UE

Adamson soars past Ateneo to set up UAAP Final Four playoff against UE
Matt Erolon and the Adamson Soaring Falcons live to fight another day as they sealed a playoff for the last Final Four spot against the UE Red Warriors. | Photo: The UAAP
For the third year in a row, the Adamson Soaring Falcons are headed into a playoff game for the last UAAP Final Four slot.

 

The San Marcelino-based squad formalized their bid for the fourth seed of the UAAP Season 87 after beating the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the final game of eliminations, 69-55, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Saturday, November 23.

 

Tied with the UE Red Warriors at 6-8, they will now battle for the right to face defending champions La Salle in the Final Four.

Adamson rode a fourth quarter where the team outscored Ateneo, 18-9, to take the win handily and extend its season for at least one more game.

After ending the third quarter only leading by five, 51-46, the Soaring Falcons went on a 13-3 run to create distance, punctuated by a Manu Anabo triple, 64-49, midway through the fourth quarter.

 

From then on, it was all Adamson as the Falcons pushed their lead to as many as 16, 69-53, after a Matt Erolon triple with 1:12 ticks remaining.

 

Royce Mantua led Adamson’s final push as he finished with 14 points, to go along with one rebound, one assist, and two steals in more than 17 minutes of play.

 

Anabo and Erolon were the other Adamson players in double-digit scoring with 13 and 11 markers, respectively.

 

AJ Fransman contributed an all-around game with eight points, seven boards, and two assists.

 

Jared Bahay paced Ateneo in the losing effort with 14 markers, while senior Chris Koon had 10 points, three rebounds, and two steals.

 

Ateneo ends the season with a 4-10 slate for last place.

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