By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Adamson Soaring Falcons are still pretty much in the picture for the final slot of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Final Four race.
After taking down the UE Red Warriors and the FEU Tamaraws, the rolling Soaring Falcons clinched another huge win and nipped the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 64-63, last November 26, 2022, to raise their record to seven wins and six losses.
The win means that the Soaring Falcons now take the lead over the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, who lost their last game against UE and is also fighting for the last slot in the Final Four.
It was another gutsy come-from-behind win for Adamson led by no other than their superstar main gunner Jerom Lastimosa.
With 13 seconds left and Adamson trailing by a deuce, 61-63, the Soaring Falcons ran an off-ball curl screen for Lastimosa who went to his spot in the left elbow.
After getting the screen from Lenda Dounga, Lastimosa found a small gap and rose for the game-winning three-pointer with 5.5 seconds left in the game.
The Bulldogs had one more chance to win the ball game but Steve Nash Enriquez failed to cash in the open trey at the top of the key.
Despite missing back-to-back three-pointers prior to his game-sealing shot, it was clear who coach Nash Racela wanted to go to at the most crucial time of the match.
“I know si Jerom is struggling today, that was obvious because NU made adjustments. But yeah, he made the most important shot of the game. And before it happened, Lenda Dounga was able to carry us through,” said Soaring Falcons coach Racela.
Lastimosa finished the game with seven points and five rebounds including the game-winning trey while center Douanga top-scored Adamson with 16 points and six rebounds.
NU had plenty of chances to win the ball game after drawing consecutive fouls in the last minute of the game but they couldn’t sweep all of their free throws and split their last four attempts.
The Soaring Falcons will determine their Final Four fate on November 30, 2022 when they face the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles on the last day of the elimination phase.
On the other hand, the Green Archers will be handling business against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers and will also have to clinch a win to keep their Final Four hopes alive.
