Pasay city: Adamson University secured a playoff for the last semis berth after beating No. 3 Ateneo de Manila University, 77-71, on Sunday in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Lady Falcons banked on Elaine Etang, Nigerian center Kemi Adeshina, and Cheska Apag to improve their standing to 7-7, securing solo fourth place in the eight-team field. Adamson's victory also resulted in the elimination of No. 6 De La Salle University (5-8) from the semis race for the third consecutive year.
Adamson will claim the last ticket in the Final Four if FEU (6-7) loses to the University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. "Actually, what I was saying at halftime was that if we just do our job properly, we will really let go. In the halfcourt sets, we got them, we checked them. It was our own mistakes that brought them closer. Credit to Ateneo because their adjustments coming into this game were also great. Fortunately, we fought back and checked those adjustments so we could counter them," said Adamson head coach Jed Colonia.
During the game, Ateneo held a 15-6 run to take the lead, 52-44, in the third quarter. However, Adamson fought back to wrest the upper hand, 67-52, with 9:32 remaining in the fourth quarter. Back-to-back triples from Camille Malagar and Gracie Batongbakal brought the Blue Eagles closer at 73-71 with 56.8 seconds left, but the Lady Falcons maintained their composure to secure the victory.
In terms of individual performances, Etang delivered 19 points, five assists, two rebounds, and one steal, while Apag contributed 18 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Adeshina added 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal, and Novie Ornopia pitched in with 10 points, two rebounds, one steal, and one block for Adamson.
For Ateneo, Kacey Dela Rosa finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks, while Hannah Lopez and Nigerian center Sarah Makanjuola scored 14 and 11 points, respectively, as Ateneo slipped to an 8-5 record.
