UAAP: Adamson responds to challenge, revives Final Four hopes

Adamson’s Anthony Fransman shines against UE in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Urged by Adamson coach Nash Racela to do more, the Falcons responded in a big way by upsetting No. 3 University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday.

Adamson ended a five-game slide and more importantly, kept their flailing Final Four bid going.

Racela’s encouraging words following Sunday’s loss to University of the Philippines worked wonders as the Falcons locked down on defense and drew solid efforts from AJ Fransman, Matt Erolon and Cedrick Manzano.

READ: UAAP: Adamson stuns UE to snap 5-game slide

Adamson coach Nash Racela, AJ Fransman and Matt Erolon after regaining their winning ways. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Ps4vD0Xa1y

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 30, 2024

“In reality, we tried avoiding talking about the Final Four. I’m sure it’s always in the back of their minds. But sometimes, if you put pressure on yourselves, doon magkakaroon ng struggles,” said Racela.

“If you look at those five losses, we were really in those games. Dalawa ngang games doon we lost by one possession and one rebound. We were close to UP. We just self-disrupted in the last three minutes. That’s something that we always preach. Improve yourself, acknowledge mistakes. Eventually, things will fall into its proper place. Yun ang maganda sa players namin tuloy tuloy lang kahit na hindi maipinta minsan yung mukha because of what we went through.”

Fransman, who stepped up with 14 points, came alive in the second half after scoring just a point and missing all of his six attempts from the field in the first two quarters. He hit the clutch triples that kept UE at bay down the stretch.

Erolon also tallied 14 points while Manzano recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Matt Erolon on keeping their Final Four hopes alive. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/dOKPmSx6CS

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 30, 2024

Fransman, who missed all of his six attempts in the first half and limited to just one point, scored all of his points in the second half including the big triples that kept UE at bay. 

“Noong tinignan ko yung first half namin, parang more on rushed shots yung ginagawa ko. Hinahanap ko yung tira ko and nagccreate ako para sa sarili ko, nagccreate yung mga teammates ko. More on movement kami ng ball,” said Fransman, who also grabbed nine rebounds.

“Noong halftime, sinabihan lang ako ng mga coaches and ng mga teammates ko na keep shooting lang so ginawa ko pa rin yung kailangan kong gawin nung second half.”

READ: UAAP: Reeling Adamson can still make Final Four, says Nash Racela

Erolon, who missed the previous game, set the tone for Adamson, scoring 12 points in the first half.

“Itong game ito yung magiging motivation namin sa mga upcoming games namin next game so, patuloy lang kami sa practice namin, extra work pa din kami. Double time parin kami sa mga practices namin and sundin namin yung mga gameplan ng mga coaches,” said Erolon.

“Kailangan namin itong game na ito so kailangan ko ibigay yung best ko. Credit din sa mga teammates ko kasi sineset up nila ako. Hindi ko naman yun magagawa yung mga tira ko kung hindi dahil sa mga teammates ko, yung tiwala nila na binibigay nila sa akin. Binalik ko lang din sa kanila yung tiwala na binibigay nila, nagbunga naman.”

Adamson limited UE to just five points in the final frame and a season-low 37 points. It was an abysmal offensive performance for the Red Warriors, who were held scoreless in the six minutes of the fourth quarter.

“It takes humility to be able to do that. Yung mga nire-require sa inyo, gawin niyo. Sometimes it’s against your will. If you look at us, it’s more like we play or they play for themselves. We still are positive because that’s something we preach. You play for each other,” said Racela.

“I think today, giving up that extra pass, helping when you’re needed, bumping someone, sacrificing your body. It’s a continuous learning for the team.”

With a 4-7 record in solo fifth place, Racela seeks to maximize the long break before facing National University on November 10 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We are where we want to be. We’re just a game behind UST at number four. So that’s what we wanted before this game. Para lang magka-legit chance kami. So yeah, we’ll keep on pushing. Hopefully, moving forward, we just press the right buttons,” he said.