Adamson guard Jerom Lastimosa during a game against La Salle in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
ANTIPOLO CITY—Jerom Lastimosa erupted for 29 points as Adamson outlasted La Salle in a tiring back-and-forth battle of attrition, 86-84, on Saturday night in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
Vince Magbuhos swished the three that put the Falcons ahead by two before Adamson clamped down on the Green Archers the rest of the way to close out the first round of elimination with a crucial win, their third in seven games.
“It was a well-fought game, one for the fans. This was our second overtime of the season and right after the regulation, I reminded them that we should have learned our lesson in that overtime defeat against UP,” said Adamson coach Nash Racela.
“I’m glad they responded,” he added.
Cyrus Austria bungled his free throws in the ensuing play, but the clincher of La Salle’s downfall was Evan Nelle’s missed layup with 8.2 seconds remaining.
Aaron Flower secured the rebound, got fouled and deliberately flubbed his pair of freebies that locked them up in a tie with the Green Archers.
Dropping their first overtime encounter against the Fighting Maroons, the Falcons were able to pull through this time as Lastimosa completely took charge.
“We don’t want to lose this one. We’re aiming for a spot in the top four,” said Lastimosa.
Given up for lost and down by three with six ticks left, Lastimosa whipped a pass to Lenda Douanga, who found himself alone atop the arc before draining the triple that forced extra time to the delight of the roaring Adamson crowd at the Ynares Center.
“We don’t really expect a smooth sailing in the second round, we just play as it comes. But this (victory) is very big, it gives us a better chance,” said Racela, whose Falcons are vying for a Final Four appearance this season.
The Scores:
ADAMSON 86 — Lastimosa 29, Douanga 13, Yerro 13, Manzano 13, V. Magbuhos 8, Jaymalin 4, Flowers 4, Sabandal 2, Colonia 0, Torres 0, Fuentebella 0, Barasi 0.
LA SALLE 84 — Quiambao 20, M. Phillips 17, Winston 17, Austria 16, Nelle 9, Manuel 2, Cortez 2, Nonoy 1, B. Phillips 0, Abadam 0, Nwankwo 0, Macalalag 0.
Quarters: 18-18, 39-40, 60-59, 79-79, 86-84.