UAAP: UP banks on flawless Q4 finish to hold off Adamson

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons showed poise under pressure and picked the Adamson Soaring Falcons apart in the final three minutes of the fourth to score an impressive 70-59 win in the ongoing UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament on October 27, 2024, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

It was a dangerous spot for the Fighting Maroons after the Soaring Falcons pulled to within a point, 58-57, off a clutch three-pointer from Jhon Calisay in the remaining 3:45 of the preliminary game.

Just when Adamson thought they could sustain their momentum, the Fighting Maroons spoiled all of their efforts as last season’s runner-ups sucked their life out with a demoralizing 12-2 scoring run to close out the game.

Mark Belmonte kicked off UP’s clutch rampage after converting on a foul-counted play as he cashed in the layup in traffic plus the bonus shot at the free throw line.

After the Belmonte three-point play, Ilonggo point guard Gerry Abadiano followed it up with a huge trey from the right corner that ballooned UP’s lead to seven points, 64-57.

The savvy floor general didn’t end his major contributions after facilitating another Belmonte layup off a pocket assist that put the Fighting Maroons in a favorable position with a nine-point cushion, 66-57.

UP then put the cherry on top with back-to-back baskets in the paint from Quentin Millora-Brown who pushed UP’s fourth-quarter lead to 13 points, 70-57.

Gani Stevens, UP’s newly activated center who just came from a one-year residency, also balled out for the Fighting Maroons and manned the interior with his efficient two-way outing.

JD Cagulangan led the Fighting Maroons with another clinic, tallying 17 markers built from 7/11 shooting from the field alongside three rebounds and two steals.

Stevens shone for UP’s second unit and added 10 points, as well as Terrence Fortea who chipped in nine markers.

It was a great fight back from the Soaring Falcons after trailing by nine points in the third, pulling within a point in the fourth that turned the one-sided affair into a see-saw battle.

However, the Fighting Maroons just had plenty of firepower and frustrated the Soaring Falcons in the most crucial stretch of the final canto.

With the gutsy victory, the Fighting Maroons became the second team in the UAAP to clinch a Final Four playoff spot, joining their rival squad De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers.