Adamson coach Nash Racela. Photo from UAAP
MANILA, Philippines — Adamson’s Final Four fate is no longer in its hands when it battles the winless University of the East on Sunday in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
Adamson, which started 4-0 in the second round, lost back-to-back games to Ateneo and La Salle, dropping to a 5-8 record in the sixth place behind joint fourth placers Far Eastern University and National University, who are both tied at 6-7.
The Falcons have to beat the Red Warriors in their 10 a.m. game and will need losing results from the Tamaraw, who will battle University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers and the Bulldogs when they take on the No. 3 La Salle Green Archers.
“We just have to take care of business,” said Adamson head coach Nash Racela.
Should Adamson win and both FEU and NU lose, it will have the highest quotient among the three and will get a bye, waiting for the winner of the Tamaraws-Bulldogs playoff game.
However, a win by FEU or NU will end Adamson’s season.
Racela is stressing to his Falcons, led by Jerom Lastimosa, to just focus on the Red Warriors, who remained winless in 13 games.
“We’ll do our part in our game this Sunday versus UE. Hopefully, we take care of business, and by doing that we’ll have a chance,” he said. “Our chances are already out of our hands. We’ll just think about that game on Sunday.”
If they will be lucky to get another shot to reach the postseason, the Adamson coach promises his team will be ready.
“Well, whatever comes, we will just be ready,” Racela said.