University of the Philippines secured its spot in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Final Four after escaping Adamson University, 70-65, on Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With their fifth straight victory—and avenging their narrow first-round loss to the Falcons—the Fighting Maroons improved their record to 9-3, also clinching at least a playoff for the second twice-to-beat spot, with the National University Bulldogs already assured of the incentive.
This marks UP’s seventh straight Final Four appearance, the longest active streak in the league, which began in Season 81 (2018).
“Every time na may naaachieve kaming goal, syempre masaya kami for that, but understanding that it’s just part of the journey. For the team, I believe we started out well, but we need to learn to try to finish off ‘yung inumpisahan namin every game,” said Goldwin Monteverde, now in the Final Four as UP head coach for a fourth straight season.
Trailing by as much as 15 in the second quarter, 15-31, the Soaring Falcons fought back in the second half, narrowing the gap to within two points multiple times in the fourth quarter.
Ahead by just two, 58-56, Gerry Abadiano drilled two free throws, followed by five straight points from Reyland Torres to establish a 65-57 Fighting Maroons lead with 1:57 remaining.
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
