UAAP: Adamson hangs on, taints UE’s Final Four bid

Playing the spoiler role, Adamson dealt a big blow to University of the East’s Final Four hopes with a stunning 74-71 win in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Papi Sarr starred with 22 points and 20 rebounds while Joseph Nalos atoned for a crucial turnover with two clutch free throws with 15.7 seconds to go that gave the also-ran Falcons a three-point cushion.

Red Warriors big man Chris Javier missed a potential game-tying triple before Sarr secured the defensive rebound to preserve Adamson’s third win in 13 outings.

“It’s a good morale booster for us. I told the boys, we haven’t gained the respect of the other teams. I told the guys that to earn their respect, we need this win,” said Adamson coach Mike Fermin. “If possible, we would also want to win our last game [of the season] against UST.”

UE fought back from 20 down with Emil Palma’s coast-to-coast layup trimming Adamson’s lead to one, 72-71, with 35.6 ticks remaining.

A dunk by Sarr off a feed from Nalos put the Falcons ahead, 64-44, and capped a 16-0 run with 4:17 left in the third quarter before the Red Warriors mounted their blistering rally.

JD Tungcab contributed 14 markers and six boards for Adamson, which also shocked De La Salle University two weeks ago. Nalos ended up with 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

READ: Adamson completes upset of La Salle

Clark Derige came away with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Red Warriors, whose Final Four bid took a hit with a 4-8 mark.

The Scores:

ADAMSON 74 – Sarr 22, Tungcab 14, Nalos 11, J. Garcia 7, Escalambre 5, Ochea 5, Polican 5, Capote 3, Margallo 2, Bernardo 0, Fernandez 0, Villanueva 0.

UE 71 – Derige 17, Palma 11, Charcos 9, Javier 9, J. Varilla 8, Abanto 4, De Leon 4, Yu 4, Batiller 3, Sta. Ana 2, Gagate 0, Manalang 0, Penuela 0, P. Varilla 0.

Quarters: 24-19, 48-44, 65-54, 74-71.