The UE Red Warriors ended their 30-game losing streak with a 53-47 win over the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
UE led at every break, but Adamson stayed close and trailed by just two, 44-46, entering the fourth quarter. Toper Lagat then made two free throws and a layup to push UE’s lead to 50-44 with 4:24 left. Matt Erolon answered with a three at the 2:48 mark to bring Adamson back within three.
With 18.5 seconds left, JM Edoukou scored on a putback off a Drew Jimenez miss to make it 52-47. Mat Edding missed a layup on the other end, and Edoukou grabbed the rebound. Adamson stole UE’s inbound pass with 12.5 seconds left, but Lance Mangaron missed a wide-open three, and the Red Warriors held on.
“I give credit to these boys. It’s a very, very long time coming,” said UE head coach Paulo Hubalde.
Mo Tañedo led the Red Warriors with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Lagat added 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Edoukou posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, along with 2 steals.
For Adamson, Emman Anabo finished with 12 points and 5 rebounds, while Mathew Montebon contributed 10 points.
UP Beats Ateneo, Gets First Final Four Berth
Later that day, the UP Fighting Maroons clinched a Final Four spot with an 82-74 win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Ateneo raced to a 16-4 lead early and took a 39-36 lead into halftime. UP turned the game around in the third quarter, with Elliot Dimaculangan scoring all 13 of his points in the period, and took a 64-57 lead into the final frame.
Ateneo kept pushing in the fourth. Kieffer Alas made one of three free throws to cut the deficit to 72-77 with 2:32 left, and Jared Bahay’s layup made it 74-77 with 1:29 remaining. However, James Payosing scored on an uncontested layup with 53.3 seconds left, and Rainer Maga split his free throws to make it 80-74. Ateneo didn’t score again.
“Always happy kasi siyempre, unang goal namin is to reach the Final Four,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde. “Nabigyan kami ng challenge, and credit to these guys on how they responded during the game when it really counts.”
Veejay Pre led the Fighting Maroons with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks. Maga and Dimaculangan added 13 points each, while Dikachi Ududo chipped in 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
For Ateneo, Alas finished with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Bahay had 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists.
UE will next face the UST Growling Tigers on Wednesday, November 11, at 2:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Later that day at 5:00 p.m., Adamson will face Ateneo.
Meanwhile, UP will next face the FEU University Tamaraws on Saturday, November 14, at 5:00 p.m. at the same venue.
