University of the Philippines secured its spot in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Final Four after escaping Adamson University, 70-65, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With their fifth straight victory—and avenging their narrow first-round loss to the Falcons—the Fighting Maroons improved their record to 9-3, also clinching at least a playoff for the second twice-to-beat spot, with the National University Bulldogs already assured of the incentive.
This marks UP’s seventh straight Final Four appearance, the longest active streak in the league, which began in Season 81 (2018).
“Every time na may naaachieve kaming goal, syempre masaya kami for that, but understanding that it’s just part of the journey. For the team, I believe we started out well, but we need to learn to try to finish off ‘yung inumpisahan namin every game,” said Goldwin Monteverde, now in the Final Four as UP head coach for a fourth straight season.
Trailing by as much as 15 in the second quarter, 15-31, the Soaring Falcons fought back in the second half, narrowing the gap to within two points multiple times in the fourth quarter.
Ahead by just two, 58-56, Gerry Abadiano drilled two free throws, followed by five straight points from Reyland Torres to establish a 65-57 Fighting Maroons lead with 1:57 remaining.
Adamson could not cut the deficit to a single possession for the rest of the game, with four points the closest they could get.
“Thankful lang din ako na pumasok sa huli ‘yung mga shots ko, saka siguro naging libre lang talaga ako at ‘yun ang ibinigay sa akin na sitwasyon kaya ginrab ko lang,” said Torres, who scored seven points, five of which came at a crucial stretch.
Francis Nnoruka led the Fighting Maroons with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, while Abadiano also contributed 16 points.
UP will aim for its sixth straight win on Wednesday against Ateneo de Manila University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Adamson’s bid for a Final Four spot suffered a major setback with its third consecutive defeat, dropping to 5-7, making its upcoming game against De La Salle University on Wednesday a do-or-die match for its semifinals aspirations.
Ray Allen Torres carried the Soaring Falcons with 23 points, while Matty Erolon added 19 points.
The Scores:
UP (70) – Nnrouka 16, Abadiano 16, Alarcon 8, Stevens 7, Torres 7, Fortea 5, Remogat 4, Bayla 4, Yñiguez 3, Alter 0, Belmonte 0, Palanca 0.
AdU (65) – Torres 23, Erolon 19, Manzano 8, Montebon 8, Fransman 7, Anabo 0, Medina 0, Ojarikre 0, Perez 0, Tumaneng 0, A. Ronzone 0, C. Ronzone 0.
Quarterscores: 20-8, 36-27, 50-44, 70-65
