Adamson completes Final Four cast; NU, UP out

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Adamson used a strong fourth quarter to secure the last Final Four seat, repulsing University of Santo Tomas, 76-61 Wednesday in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.

Leaning behind its two-guard combo of Robbie Manalang and Jerrick Ahanmisi, the Soaring Falcons fired an 11-2 run to start a fourth quarter breakaway and led, 67-52, with 6:16 left in the game.

“I think right now, we’re living the dream,” said coach Franz Pumaren. “I think we surprised a lot of basketball fanatics. We were able to fasttrack everything. We were looking at 2017, we just wanted this year to be competitive, but my players wanted to attend that advance party. They were able accept their roles and that’s why were here.”

Manalang fired 16 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Ahanmisi also got 16 markers and two boards.

Sean Manganti chipped in five of his nine points in the fourth period in the win.

At 7-5, Adamson clinched its first semifinals berth since 2011 when the team was still under coach Leo Austria while also eliminating semis hopefuls National University and University of the Philippines, both carrying 5-8 records, in the process.

“This is just a parcel of our journey and we hope we continue this journey,” Pumaren said. “I think were the gatecrashers in this Final Four. With this opportunity, we’re hoping to make the most out of it.”

UST further plummeted down the standings at 3-10 in a game where coach Boy Sablan withheld Louie Vigil, Marvin Lee, Renzo Subido, and Kent Lao in the first half.

Jamil Sheriff topped the Growling Tigers with 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Lao got 12 markers and six boards.

The scores:

ADAMSON 76 – Manalang 16, Ahanmisi 16, Manganti 9, Tungcab 8, Sarr 7, Mustre 7, Ochea 6, Espeleta 4, Bernardo 2, Camacho 1, Paranada 0, Chua 0, Ng 0.

UST 61 – Sheriff 13, Lao 12, Basibas 8, Vigil 6, Macasaet 6, Huang 4, Caunan 4, Afoakwah 3, Arana 3, De Guzman 2, Faundo 0, Lee 0, Subido 0.

Quarters: 21-19, 37-32, 56-50, 76-61