By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Adamson University Soaring Falcons grabbed the last seat in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Final Four race after taking down the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 68-55, on November 27, 2024, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
With only one last slot up for grabs, the Soaring Falcons turned it up late in the opening quarter to erase UE’s early 10-2 advantage.
The duo of veteran center Cedrick Manzano and Matty Erolon stunned the Red Warriors after kicking off Adamson’s demoralizing 18-0 counter run, pummeling the paint with their craftiness at the post while also hitting their jumpers from the elbow pockets.
After Adamson’s massive offensive avalanche, the Red Warriors struggled to get back on their feet and could only watch the Soaring Falcons protect their double-digit advantage until the final buzzer sounded.
UE showed some fight in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter led by Jack Cruz-Dumont who drained timely three-pointers backstopped by Precious Momowei’s baskets in the paint.
However, the Red Warriors received a huge blow when Momowei was stretched out the floor after a collision with Adamson’s Matthew Montebon.
Momowei failed to finish the game and wore a neck brace, leaving a huge gap in the UE interior which was capitalized by the Soaring Falcons.
Montebon put on the finishing touches for Adamson after scoring a breakaway layup that held their lead to double digits in the final minute of the crucial game.
Adamson was led by Manzano who delivered an all-around performance of 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Also stepping up for the Soaring Falcons was their veteran leader Montebon who registered 13 markers, six dimes, and three boards.
With the victory, the Soaring Falcons will have to brace for a tough matchup against the no. 1 team in the league, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers.
In the other bracket of the Final Four playoffs, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons will aim to contain the rolling the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers who are currently in cloud nine after halting its Final Four drought.
