Adamson Falcons take down a Final Four contender. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Adamson completed what it failed to do three days ago.
Riding high after pushing defending champion National University to its limit in an overtime loss, the Falcons took down the De La Salle Green Archers, 75-74, in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Joseph Nalos and Papi Sarr combined for 22 of the Falcons’ 27 points in the fourth quarter with the Cameroonian center hitting the go-ahead free throws with 15 seconds left to complete Adamson’s comeback from 16 points down.
“They really showed determination,” said Adamson head coach Mike Fermin.
“We all know that we had a tough loss last time the key was to lift the spirits of the players so I just told them to forget about it and let’s move on,” Fermin told reporters, referring to the Falcons’ 85-79 loss to the Bulldogs last Wednesday.
READ: NU escapes Adamson in OT, arrests 3-game skid
Nalos returned from a one-game suspension and made up for lost time, firing 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter while Sarr added game-highs of 23 points and 14 rebounds.
The Green Archers had a 59-43 lead after a put back by Prince Rivero with 2:41 remaining in the third quarter before Nalos and Sarr took over for the Falcons.
The Cebuano guard Nalos tied the game at 68 before Sarr put Adamson in front, 73-71, with 2:13 left.
Rivero, who set a career-high with 23 points that went with 11 rebounds, knotted the score at 73 but he missed his second free throw with 8.5 ticks to go that would’ve forced overtime after Sarr calmly made his.
A crucial double lane violation was called the kept the possession to La Salle but the Archers still couldn’t convert with Andrei Caracut losing control of the ball and needing to throw a contested heave that didn’t even come close.
Caracut played his first game after missing a couple due to allergy. He had three points on 1-of-10 shooting from the field in 23 minutes.
The Archers dropped to solo fourth at 5-5 with the fifth-running Bulldogs looking to creep up from behind and get inside the Final Four picture.
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