University of the Philippines team captain Gerry Abadiano dribbles the ball against Adamson University in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) — University of the Philippines is set to enter the UAAP men's basketball Final 4 for the seventh straight season.
The Fighting Maroons are off to the semifinals after surviving Adamson University, 70-65, during their Season 88 Round 2 faceoff on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao as they improved to 9-3 in the team standings.
Leading State U was Gerry Abadiano who finished with 16 points and three rebounds, Francis Nnoruka had 16 markers and 11 boards, while Reyland Torres scored six of his seven points in the last two minutes to shut the door on the Soaring Falcons.
"Every time na may maa-achieve kang goal eh masaya, but you need to understand that it is only a part of the journey," said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde, whose squad also notched its fifth straight win.
"So we still need to learn how to finish strong," added Monteverde, who has led the Maroons to four of its seven consecutive Final 4 appearances which dates back to Season 81 in 2018.
But finishing strong was what they did against the Soaring Falcons, as when the Maroons were only leading by four, 60-56, late in the fourth, Torres fired a three-pointer at the 2:25 mark to extend their lead to three possessions, 63-56.
He then followed it up with another jumper 23 seconds later to push their lead to eight, 65-57, and while Adamson cut it to 66-62 later on, Torres and Nnoruka went on to seal the contest at the foul line.
On the other hand, Adamson U absorbed its seventh loss in 12 games despite Ray Allen Torres firing 23 points, and Matty Erolon pouring 19 markers in their attempt to complete a 15-point comeback.
The Soaring Falcons also fell to sixth-place, a spot below the 5-6 Ateneo de Manila University, as the race to the Final 4 heats up.
The Scores:
UP 70 – Nnrouka 16, Abadiano 16, Alarcon 8, Stevens 7, Torres 7, Fortea 5, Remogat 4, Bayla 4, Yñiguez 3, Alter 0, Belmonte 0, Palanca 0.
AdU 65 – Torres 23, Erolon 19, Manzano 8, Montebon 8, Fransman 7, Anabo 0, Medina 0, Ojarikre 0, Perez 0, Tumaneng 0, A. Ronzone 0, C. Ronzone 0.
Quarterscores: 20-8, 36-27, 50-44, 70-65.