Adamson survives FEU to stay alive in UAAP Final Four race

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Adamson Soaring Falcons are still in the mix for a spot in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament after edging the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 75-70, last November 23, 2022.

Jerom Lastimosa once again played hero ball for the Soaring Falcons as the scoring machine superstar unloaded a game-high 23 points.

The banged-up guard played with heart despite the injuries and willed his team in the clutch stretch including his game-sealing shots from the charity stripe which gave Adamson a comfortable cushion, 71-64, with 53 seconds left.

Lastimosa was automatic from the three-point area and built most of his points from downtown, connecting five of his eight total attempts.

The Soaring Falcons were off to a rousing start after immediately establishing a double-digit lead in the first 10 minutes of action, 18-0.

Adamson looked to blow the game wide-open after extending its lead to a commanding 27-2 but the Tamaraws found a way to slowly get back into the ball game and erase the Soaring Falcons’ lead in the fourth quarter.

FEU got within five points after Ilonggo sniper John Bryan Sajonia buried a three-pointer that lifted the Tamaraws’ fans in attendance.

However, the Tamaraws ran out of gas in the last 20 seconds of the game and last cashed in a score off a Xyrus Torres free throw.

Lenda Douanga backstopped Lastimosa after firing 18 points and seven rebounds while former Hua Siong College of Iloilo superstar Cedrick Manzano chipped in 10 points and 13 rebounds.

FEU’s loss broke their record of eight-straight Final Four appearances after suffering their ninth loss of the season.

Meanwhile, the Soaring Falcons will still have a big chance to barge into the playoffs and will have two more remaining games against National University (NU) and Ateneo.