The UP Fighting Maroons are through to the Final Four of UAAP Season 88 after getting back at Adamson.
UP has sealed its place in the Final Four for the seventh straight year after taking down Adamson in a gritty UAAP Season 88 showdown, 70-65, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Now winners of five straight games, the defending champions ensured their place in the semis with their 9-3 slate. UP is the second team to advance following league-leader NU.
The Fighting Maroons started strong against Adamson, taking a 20-8 lead after the opening quarter. UP then hiked that lead to 15, 31-16.
But a scoring surge from Adamson had the game much closer at halftime, 36-27, with Ray Allen Torres and Matty Erolon leading the pack.
The Soaring Falcons threatened to flip the script in the fourth quarter, when AJ Fransman helped Adamson get within two, 54-56, with 5:34 ticks left.
But Gerry Abadiano’s steady free throw shooting and a last-gasp triple from Reyland Torres kept UP ahead, 63-56.
He also drilled the dagger to push the advantage to eight, 65-57, with 1:57 left.
Adamson dropped to 5-7 for the season with the loss.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.