UAAP: Adamson stays in Final Four race; La Salle claims No. 1

Adamson’s AJ Fransman during a game against NU in UAAP Season 87.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Even after a five-game losing streak in the middle of its UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament campaign, Adamson remains in the hunt for a Final Four seat that could mean a clash with defending champion La Salle.

The Soaring Falcons stayed in the semifinal race after downing National University (NU), 53-41, on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, and have two more games to try and climb up to as high as No. 3 and avoid what could be a deadly clash with the Green Archers after La Salle formalized top ranking with a 77-66 demolition job of University of the Philippines in the second game

“The important thing is that we are still alive,” coach Nash Racela said after his wards played superior defense and shut down the Bulldogs to rise to 5-7, just half-a-game off No. 4 spot currently occupied by idle University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Even claiming third seed is achievable, with University of the East (UE) toting a 6-6 record after losing its last three games and needing to arrest that skid to stay out of complications.

Second at best

La Salle, meanwhile, won a ninth straight game and is unreachable at No. 1 at 12-1 with a game to go, while the Fighting Maroons lost for the second time against the Archers and dropped to 9-3, still practically assured of the second twice-to-beat privilege.

“That’s something that we have been telling the players. Before the game, we told them about the alignment of the stars. We are getting into position, but of course, if we don’t do our part, it will not happen.”

Unpredictable UST is at 6-7 with only a game left in the Growling Tigers’ schedule, which, as the stars have dictated, will end in a clash with the Falcons basically with a Final Four berth on the line.

After upsets of UP and Santo Tomas, the Bulldogs were all bark and had no bite against the Falcons. They bowed out after slipping to 4-9.

This is the second straight win where the Falcons seemingly snuffed the life out of their foes. Adamson scored a 45-37 win over UE to snap that five-game slide, before they did their thing on the Bulldogs again.

“Defensively, that’s our ticket. I think it’s no secret that our chance in this league is really playing tough defense, making it hard for the opponent,” Racela said. “We all know and we admit that they are all more talented than us, so the only way to counter is to play really good defense.

“It’s good that our players are really embracing it.” INQ