Adamson’s Jerom Lastimosa. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Jerom Lastimosa flung a three-pointer from way out in the final 23 seconds as Adamson squeaked past University of the Philippines, 66-58, extending its winning streak to three and making a strong case for the last spot in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.
In snapping the Maroons’ eight-game winning run, the Falcons shook up the standings and created a logjam for the fourth spot with National University and Far Eastern University at 4-6.
Lastimosa’s triple, which gave the Falcons a 62-57 buffer, typified the endgame finesse Adamson seemed to have developed over the past three games. He finished with 13 points.
The Falcons also avenged their 73-71 loss to the Maroons in the first round.
The Maroons fell by as many as 17 points, 30-13, on a Didat Hanapi twinner in the second quarter. They were not able to cut that margin, only coming to as close as two points on free throws by Ricci Rivero in the last 36 seconds, 59-57.
UP struggled from the field, making only three of 27 three-point attempts all game. But at 8-2, the Maroons had a solid foothold of the next round.