Adamson’s Cedrick Manzano celebrates with his teammates during a playoff victory over UE in UAAP Season 87.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Adamson earned the last Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament by eliminating University of the East, 68-55, on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“We’re grateful that two out of the three knockout games, we were able to advance. Sabi ko nga the other [day], if we need to go through knockout games every year, we’ll go through that just to make it to the Final Four,” Adamson coach Nash Racela said.
“The beauty about it is we really gave ourselves a chance. The team, the players, more specifically did their part getting here but we still have a job to do,” Racela added.
READ: UAAP: Adamson heeds coach’s call as another do-or-die awaits
Adamson coach Nash Racela, Monty Montebon, and Cedrick Manzano after returning to the Final Four. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/L0kTaQid3e
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 27, 2024
The Soaring Falcons arranged a playoff bout against No. 1 seed and defending champion La Salle.
Cedrick Manzano led Adamson with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds while Matthew Montebon contributed 13 points and dished out six assists.
“Sobrang thankful ako sa team namin kasi nalampasan namin yung mga gantong knockout game. Kundi naman siguro dahil sa kanila, wala kami dito so nagtulungan lang talaga kami,” Manzano said.
“I’m really proud of my team. The whole season we’ve been through a lot of ups and a lot of downs. A lot of team meetings where we didn’t wanna go to. But I’m just proud of my team, just the way the last couple of games we just fought and just played for each other,” Montebon said.
Adamson banked on its defense once again to limit the Warriors to just 32 percent shooting from the field.
The Falcons also got 22 points from their bench compared to UE’s one.
READ: UAAP: Manu Anabo a timely hero for Adamson in Final Four chase
“Personally for me, the team needed me to play a little more unselfish so, I just want to do everything in my power to put our team in a better chance to win and I think I did that and now we’re in the Final Four and hopefully we could beat La Salle,” Montebon said.
The Red Warriors, who were once the third-seeded team in the tournament, finished their season with sixth consecutive losses. Graduating Jack Cruz-Dumont paced UE in scoring with 15 points while Rainer Maga and John Abate pitched in 10 points apiece with the latter also grabbing six rebounds.
Precious Momowei produced a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds before the big man had to be stretchered off the court after falling on his back heading into the final two minutes. Ethan Galang and Gjerard Wilson have also played their last game for UE.
“It’s my first time [in the playoffs] so I don’t know really what to expect. But I’m just excited for the challenge. La Salle’s a great team. I think both games [we lost] a combined 55 points. So obviously, we’re gonna have to focus in practice and just trust each other like we’ve been doing and hopefully the results and the game will follow,” Montebon said.