University of the Philippines captain Gerry Abadiano against Ateneo de Manila University star Jared Bahay in UAAP Season 88 men‘s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA (UPDATED) — University of the Philippines is set to enter the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball Final 4 with a twice-to-beat incentive after a Gerry Abadiano fourth quarter takeover.
The senior guard tallied 16 of his 18 points in the said frame in their 79-75 victory over Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, allowing UP to sweep the Blue Eagles for the second straight season.
"'Di lang talaga ako tumigil kasi kailangan ako ng team," said Abadiano, who was instrumental in their 16-point comeback.
Also making this possible was Francis Nnoruka who had a 17-point, 14-rebound outing on top of four blocks, while Jacob Bayla and Harold Alarcon each scored eight markers.
After Abadiano made crucial baskets to overtake Ateneo midway through the fourth, 60-58, the Fighting Maroons saw resistance as the Blue Eagles refused to go down without retaliation.
Kymani Ladi converted a three-pointer with still 21 seconds left to cut their eight-point deficit to two, 74-76. And while Abadiano aced both of his foul shots for a four-point lead, Adali's split at the stripe got the Blue Eagles within three, 75-78.
Unfortunately, Ateneo couldn't take advantage of Ladi's offensive glass as they turned the ball over, while Torres made one of his two free throws for a 79-75 UP lead -- one that they held on to until the final buzzer.
Jared Bahay had a game-high 21 points, while Kymani Ladi and Shawn Tuano scored 17 and 10 markers, respectively, but the Blue Eagles are on the brink of elimination as they fell to 5-7 in the team standings — tied with Far Eastern University at the sixth and seventh places.
The Scores:
UP 79 – Abadiano 18, Nnrouka 17, Bayla 8, Alarcon 8, Alter 7, Torres 7, Remogat 6, Stevens 6, Fortea 2, Yñiguez 0, Belmonte 0, Felicilda 0.
Ateneo 75 – Bahay 21, Ladi 17, Tuano 10, Espinosa 8, Adili 7, Escobar 6, Espina 4, Lazaro 2, Bongo 0, Lazo 0.
Quarterscores: 7-21, 29-38, 48-54, 79-75.