UAAP 74 Final 4: Top seeds met contrasting outcomes

Ateneo de Manila University and the Adamson University garnered the top 2 spots in the standings in the senior’s division of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball competitions. By finishing 1 and 2, both teams got a twice to beat incentive in the Final 4. The Final 4 matches where played yesterday and one of the teams got upset by a lower seed opponent. The Ateneo Blue Eagles faced a streaking UST Growling Tigers while the Adamson Falcons battled the tough FEU Tamaraws.

The first game was between the Eagles and the Tigers. Ateneo (13-1) is the No.1 seed after the eliminations while UST banked on a winning streak at the tail end of the preliminary matches to secure the 4th spot with an 8-6 record. Ateneo controlled the first 3 quarters as they held a 52-40 lead going to the final period. UST suddenly waxed hot in the 3 point are as Jeric Fortuna, Jeric Teng, and Christopher Camus hit trifectas one after another to cut down Ateneo’s lead to 1, 67-66. In the ensuing possession, the Tigers fouled Nico Salva to stop the clock at 3 seconds. Salva hit both free throws to increase the lead to 69-66. UST’s final attempt to tie the game failed to hit the rim as the Ateneo crowd breathed a sigh of relief as they escaped with a victory and a final seat in the bag. Greg Slaughter topscored for the Eagles with 17 points  but was ineffective when UST rallied as he suffered from cramps. Slaughter was backed up by Rookie of the Year Kiefer Ravena (13 points) and Salva (12 points). UST was led by UAAP 74 Rebound King Karim Abdul who negated Slaughter’s numbers with 16 points along with 16 rebounds.

The main game was between the No.2 Adamson Falcons (10-4) and No.3 Far Eastern University Tamaraws (9-5). On paper, the 2 teams are so evenly matched and the teams split their elimination assignments. The Final 4 match though was controlled by the Tams from start to finish. The lower seeded Tamaraws even led by 20 at the end of the 3rd quarter, 52-32. Adamson tried to rally via the stellar play of Alex Nuyles but FEU was able to hold on and win 59-49 to set-up a do or die game for the right to face Ateneo in the finals. Guards Terence Romeo and Season 73 MVP RR Garcia combined for 35 big points to lead the Tams while Alex Nuyles scored 20 for the Falcons.

There will be one more game to decide the finalist in this year’s UAAP senior’s basketball competitions. Ateneo has one slot already while FEU and Adamson will play one more time. Will it be a rematch of Season 73 or will it be the Battle of the Angry Birds???

The scores: ADMU 69 – Slaughter 17, Ravena 13, Salva 12, Chua 9, Tiongson 5, Gonzaga 5, Monfort 4, Long 4, Golla 0, Austria 0. UST 66 – Abdul 16, Camus 13, Teng 11, Ferrer 10, Fortuna 8, Afuang 5, Tan 3, Sheriff 0, Pe 0, Lo 0, Ungria 0. Quarters: 18-18, 38-30, 52-40, 69-66.

FEU 59 — Romeo 19, Garcia 16, Exciminiano 8, Ramos 7, Bringas 6, Escoto 2, Tolomia 1, Pogoy 0, Cruz 0.

ADAMSON 49 — Nuyles 20, Camson 6, Canada 5, Alvarez 5, Brondial 4, Lozada 4, Colina 3, Manyara 2, Etrone 0, Cabrera 0.

Quarters: 11-9, 29-23, 52-32, 59-49.

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