UAAP: Adamson women boost Final 4 bid with rout of UE

MANILA — Adamson University fueled its bid for a Final 4 spot by beating the University of the East, 94-77, in the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The victory improved Adamson’s record to 7-4 — a full game ahead of Far Eastern University in the standings.

UE, meanwhile, is set to miss the Final Four for the ninth consecutive year after absorbing its second straight defeat to fall to 1-9 at the bottom of the standings.

“We just take it one game at a time… We have to finish the business; we have to finish all the games before we would know kung mag-Fi-Final Four or not,” said Adamson head coach Jed Colonia.

Clinging to a slim 15-14 lead, Adamson closed the opening quarter with a 12-2 run, capped by Angeline Alaba’s layup to establish a double-digit cushion, 27-16.

The Lady Falcons carried their offensive momentum into the second quarter, unleashing 10 unanswered points as April Tano’s two-pointer stretched their advantage to 19, 42-23, midway through the period.

UE, however, responded with a 13-0 run to cut the deficit to just six after Sy Onate drilled a triple. Adamson regained its footing in the closing minutes, though, taking a 50-41 lead into halftime.

The Lady Falcons reasserted control in the third quarter, building a 21-point advantage, 67-46. However, the Lady Warriors refused to back down, with Rachel Lacayanga’s layup trimming the deficit to 11, 67-56.

Adamson answered by closing the third period with a 10-2 run in the final two minutes, capped by Elaine Etang’s layup to restore its 19-point cushion, 75-56, heading into the final frame.

UE made another attempt to mount a late comeback, but Kazel Mazo put the finishing touches on Adamson’s victory with a triple, sealing the Lady Falcons’ second consecutive win.

Etang led Adamson with 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while Mazo delivered her best scoring performance of the season with 13 points on four triples. Cheska Apag chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.

Lacayanga paced UE with a game-high 22 points and seven rebounds, while Moana Vacalares also tallied 22 points, alongside five rebounds and seven assists.

The Lady Falcons have three games remaining in the elimination round, facing last season’s finalists, University of Santo Tomas and National University, with a matchup against De La Salle in between.

AdU (94) – Etang 18, Mazo 13, Meniano 11. Apag 10, Adeshina 8, Burgos 8, Tano 7, Bajo 5, Carcallas 4, Muñoz 4, Lumbago 2, Medina 2, Alaba 2, Cortez 0, Manlimos 0, Villaester 0.

UE (77) – Lacayanga 22, Vacalares 21, Oñate 13, Buscar 9, Ronquillo 5, Lumibao 4, Gullim 2, Dublar 1, Cruz 0, Sajol 0, Ramos 0, Dalguntas 0, Gutierrez 0.

Quarterscores: 27-18, 50-41, 75-56, 94-77.