UAAP: Adamson hopes to make Final Four ‘the hard way’

Adamson coach Nash Racela during a game against UST in UAAP Season 87.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Adamson coach Nash Racela kept it straight and simple when asked about the Falcons’ blowout loss to University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday.

Hoping to fuel their Final Four chase, the Falcons took a 75-49 beating instead from the Growling Tigers, who booked a ticket to the semifinals for the first time in five years.

“UST happened,” said Racela.

READ: UAAP: UST seals return to Final Four after rout of Adamson

“We knew that UST is a very explosive team. We struggled to stop them and we struggled offensively, too. I always tell them, if you can’t be good with both, at least be good with one. We didn’t have both.”

UST broke the game wide open after the intermission and outscored Adamson, 23-4, in the pivotal third period.

Racela saw his wards get dominated in the rebounding department which he attributed to the Tigers just wanting it more than the Falcons.

“UST had a lot of offensive rebounds in the second half. They had desire. It’s not about the X’s and O’s anymore in these crucial games, it’s about desire and wanting it more.”

READ: UAAP: Pido looks to write ‘new story’ in UST’s Final Four return

“If we lose by that much, it means we made a lot of mistakes and those need correction. The only thing to confirm all those is to study the game and just watch it again.”

But despite the loss, Adamson (5-8) still has a shot to make the Final Four if it beats also-ran Ateneo on Saturday and University of the East (6-7) loses to No. 2 University of the Philippines on the same day which forces a playoff between the Falcons and Red Warriors for the last semifinal slot.

“[Now] we need to do it the hard way. One, win against Ateneo and two, hope that UP wins against UE so we could play a knockout match. That’s the second game that we need to win,” Racela said.

“Only thing we can control is our next game. Even if UP helps us by beating UE, if we don’t win our next game, wala rin.”