Adamson survives Ateneo’s gritty OT stand in UAAP women’s stepladder semis

MANILA, Philippines – The Adamson Lady Falcons withstood the Ateneo Blue Eagles’gallant stand down the stretch to secure a 59-53 overtime win in the stepladder semifinals of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Saturday, November 30, at the Araneta Coliseum. 

Down two in the dwindling seconds of regulation, the Falcons turned to Cheska Apag, who nailed a jumper off an offensive rebound to knot it up at 49-all with 5.5 ticks left and force the extension. 

Elaine Etang and Oluwakemi Adeshina then took charge as Adamson outscored Ateneo, 10-4, in the extra period to grab control and keep their campaign alive in the stepladder semifinals. 

With the win, the Lady Falcons advanced against the defending champion UST Growling Tigresses, the No. 2 squad that holds a twice-to-beat advantage.

The winner of the series will face the NU Lady Bulldogs, who jumped straight to the finals after a 14-0 sweep of the elimination round.

“I was just telling them about the ‘big E.’ The E is bigger than anything on the court. The E stands for effort. The effort really goes to a lot of things,” said Lady Falcons head coach Ryan Monteclaro.

“It’s about pure heart. It goes to show how strong this team is in terms of heart and grit,” he added.  

Etang led Adamson with 22 points and 8 rebounds, while Adeshina put up 16 markers and 7 boards. 

Apag, meanwhile, capped her clutch game with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Season MVP Kacey dela Rosa led Ateneo with 19 points, 14 coming in the fourth and overtime periods, on top of 24 rebounds and 5 blocks. 

Junize Calago, who drained a go-ahead three with under a minute left for Ateneo, had 14 points, and 6 rebounds in a losing effort. 

“It’s heartbreaking for our girls, but then again, that’s basketball,” said Ateneo head coach LA Murar of his fourth-seeded Blue Eagles.

Adamson will face UST on Wednesday, December 4.

The Scores

Adamson 59 – Etang 22, Adeshina 16, Apag 10, Limbago 3, E. Alaba 3, Meniano 2, Agojo 2, Padilla 1, Mazo 0, Ornopia 0, Bajo 0, Manlimos 0, A. Alaba 0, Trabado 0.

Ateneo 53 – Dela Rosa 19, Calago 14, Makanjoula 10, Oani 5, Villacruz 2, Aguirre 2, Batungbakal 1, Angala 0, Cancio 0, Eufemanio 0.

Quarters: 13-14, 23-25, 40-34, 49-49 (reg.), 59-53 (OT).

– Rappler.com