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| c/o UAAP |
Cheska Apag saved Adamson University from the jaws of defeat, nailing a clutch deuce to send the game into overtime before the rest of the Lady Falcons stepped up to eliminate the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 59-53, and advance to the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women's Basketball Stepladder Semifinals on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Falcons were 5.5 seconds left away from elimination when Apag grabbed the offensive rebound after Kim Limbago airballed a triple and drained a baseline jumper, forcing the game into extra time.
Adamson caught fire at the perfect moment in overtime, with Elaine Etang hitting a crucial three-pointer and Nigerian center Victoria Adeshina adding two inside baskets to give Adamson a 56-51 lead with 3:20 left.
Novie Ornopia was in the right place at the right time, tipping the ball out after a missed triple from Limbago, which led to a free throw by Apag, extending the Lady Falcons’ lead to 57-53 with just 7.9 seconds remaining.
Etang then sealed Adamson’s historic victory with two free throws, pushing the lead to 59-53 with 3.9 seconds left.
“It’s not about me ‘eh, it’s about them. The hard work they put in day in and day out. Sabi ko before the game, God will always provide for those people who work for Him. Even if we’re the third in the seeding, I think these players deserve this win. They just proved that that shot was no luck, it was made in the Adamson court every day, every morning,” Lady Falcons head coach Ryan Monteclaro said.
In regulation, third-year guard Junize Calago scored four straight points, including a top-of-the-key three-pointer and a free throw, to give Ateneo a slim 49-47 lead with under 40 seconds remaining.
Ateneo had one final chance to win at the buzzer, but Dela Rosa missed a potential game-winning fadeaway three.
With the victory, Adamson now prepares for a do-or-die showdown against the reigning champions University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses for the last spot in the finals.
National University jumped straight to the Finals after completing a 14-game sweep of eliminations.
The Lady Falcons are gunning for their first Finals appearance since 2011 when they lost to Far Eastern University in three games.
The win also marked Adamson’s first podium finish since Season 79 in 2016 under current Baby Falcons 19-and-under head coach Mike Fermin. Headlining that Adamson team were Kaye Pingol and Mar Prado.
“It’s all about the heart na talagang gusto namin manalo kahit na mahirap, pero still, we know that we can do it. Buo kami na kaya namin manalo even though despite na lamang sila sa amin, sa amin walang superstar, but still buo kami na willing manalo sa game na ito,” Apag said.
The trio of Apag, Etang, Limbago - who are some of the smallest guards in the entire league - combined for 28 of Adamson’s 57 rebounds.
Despite losing the overall rebounding battle to the Blue Eagles’ 67 boards, it was in the offensive rebounding department where the Lady Falcons shined. They grabbed 26 offensive boards, 10 more than Ateneo’s 16.
Ateneo’s game was marred by 34 turnovers compared to Adamson’s 12 miscues. As a result, the Lady Falcons took advantage, scoring 26 points off the Blue Eagles’ errors.
Etang also led the Lady Falcons with 22 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, while Adeshina tallied 16 points, seven rebounds, and one block.
Apag ended the day with 10 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and one assist, while Limbago was limited to three points but grabbed nine rebounds and four steals.
Ateneo, on the other hand, finished in fourth place for the second straight season.
Dela Rosa paced the Blue Eagles with a near 20-20 outing, scoring 19 points and grabbing 24 rebounds to go along with five blocks and one steal, while Nigerian center Sarah Makanjoula contributed 10 points, 23 rebounds, and one block.
Calago scored 14 points on 3-of-15 shooting and nine turnovers but still contributed six rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Ateneo will retain its Season 87 core, bannered by Dela Rosa, Kai Oani, and Makanjoula, heading into its next UAAP campaign.
The Scores:
AdU (59) - Etang 22, Adeshina 16, Apag 10, Limbago 3, Alaba 3, Meniano 2, Agojo 2, Padilla 1, Mazo 0, Ornopia 0, Bajo 0, Manlimos 0, Trabado 0, Alaba 0.
Ateneo (53) - Dela Rosa 19, Calago 14, Makanjoula 10, Oani 5, Villacruz 2, Aquirre 2, Batongbakal 1, Angala 0, Cancio 0, Eufemiano 0.
Quarterscores: 13-14, 23-25, 40-34, 49-49, 59-53.
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