Soaring Falcons nail 4th Final Four berth

MANILA, Philippines – Adamson poured it all in the fourth quarter and blasted also-ran University of Santo Tomas, 76-61, to clinch the fourth and last Final Four berth in the UAAP LXXIX men’s basketball yesterday at the MOA Arena.

The Falcons struggled majority of the way, leading by just six points after three quarters but outscored the Tigers in the last 10 minutes, 20-11, to notch their seventh win in 12 games and join La Salle, Ateneo and FEU in the next round.

The Falcons, on their first journey with multi-titled coach Franz Pumaren, reached the semis for the first time since 2011.

“Right now we’re living the dream. I feel we surprised a lot of basketball fanatics. We’re able to fast-track everything; as I’ve said at the start, we’re actually looking at 2017 and just wanted to be very competitive this year. But I guess my players just wanted to get that advanced party and they’re able to embrace and accept what they’re supposed to do. That’s why we’re here,” he said.

The Falcons’ win shut the door on the semis hopes of University of the Philippines (5-8) and National U (5-8) and gave the San Marcelino-based squad a shot at the No. 2.

Rob Manalang and Jerrick Ahanmisi rifled in 16 markers apiece while Sean Manganti shot nine for AdU, spearheading 20-11 exchange in the fourth that enabled them to pull away for good.

‘This is the hardest game for us, trying to claim the victory that will send us to the Final Four against a team with no pressure. We struggled a bit and I felt our players were not that relaxed, feeling the pressure also. It’s a good thing they’re able to pull it off through collective effort,” said Pumaren

Earlier, Ateneo proved its previous upset of league-leading La Salle was no fluke, beating defending champion Far Eastern U, 74-59, to firm up its bid for No. 2.

Thirdy Ravena and Isaac Go delivered the bailout baskets as the Blue Eagles quelled the Tams’ furious rally from 23 points down to secure an equally impressive follow-up to their 83-71 reversal over the erstwhile spotless Archers four days back.

The Eagles soared to their fourth straight win and 8-4 overall, tying the mark of the Tams who skidded to their second consecutive setback. With a sweep of their elims showdowns with FEU, Ateneo took the inside track in their race for the second seeding and twice-to-beat advantage in the F4.

“We just came out to fight; in our minds, we were the underdogs as they’re the No. 2 and we’re the No. 3. Our game plan was to fight, scrap every rebound,” said Ravena, who paced the Eagles with 15 points to go with 11 rebounds and two assists.

Crashing the boards and hitting their perimeter shots, the Eagles stormed to an early 24-14 lead and went on to erect a 23-point spread at 58-35 with 3 minutes left in the third.