MANILA, Philippines—Clinging on for another competition is De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers as they shot down the Adamson University Baby Falcons, 87-81, in the UAAP Juniors basketball playoffs Friday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo.
La Salle’s ordeal is not yet over however as the fourth-seeders have to face defending champions National University Bullpups which has a twice-to-beat advantage.
Ateneo, meanwhile, is flying atop the competition as they wait in the championship rounds after completing a 14-0 sweep of the tournament.
Noah Webb gave the Junior Archers a 20-point lead, 64-44, with 1:09 remaining in the third.
Adamson, though, pushed for a potential scare as Gerald Fernandez nailed a three-pointer to notch the boards at 85-79 with 22.1 remaining.
Brent Paraiso, however, would put La Salle closer to paradise as he calmly sunk a pair of charities to give the Junior Archers a 87-79 cushion.
Aljun Melecio led La Salle with 21 points and eight boards before fouling out in the last two minutes of the game.
Quinito Benzon was as brilliant as his teammate as he finished with 20 points.
Frederick Tungcab had a double-double for Adamson with 20 points and 17 rebounds while James Pasturan added 17 points.