INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines ? (UPDATE 2) Adamson University secured third place in the Final Four following a 69-64 triumph over De La Salle University Thursday in the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The hot-shooting Falcons nearly squandered a 14-point lead as the Archers matched their impressive shooting from the outside and trimmed the deficit to the closest of three, 62-59, with over a minute left to play.

But the Falcons, who are now in their best season with 9-5 record since the Final Four format was created, were determined to keep the Archers away as they buckled up on defense in the winding seconds led by Kenyan Austin Manyara, who finished with 11 points on top of 17 boards and two blocks.

Adamson will face the number two seed in the semis which will be determined on Saturday's clash between FEU and Ateneo.

In the first game, National University concluded its season 73 stint with a 62-54 victory over another early finisher University of Santo Tomas Thursday in the UAAP at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Bulldogs wrapped up this season with a 7-7 record ? their best since 2001 ? as they dominated the game from the onset with Emmanuel Mbe leading the way anew with 18 points and nine boards.

Sophomore Jeric Teng, meanwhile, finished with 20 points for the Tigers as they exited the league with a disappointing 4-10 record after a fourth-place finish last year.