Adamson outlasts Ateneo in OT thriller, sets clash with UST for UAAP women's basketball finals berth

Elaine Etang led Adamson to a stunner against Ateneo. UAAP Season 87 Media Team

By Jonathan Salvacion

QUEZON CITY--The Adamson Lady Falcons sent the Ateneo Blue Eagles packing after a 59-53 overtime victory in their stepladder match during the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The game was a tug-of-war until early in the fourth quarter when Elaine Etang sparked a 10-0 scoring run for Adamson to go up, 42-34.

However, the Blue Eagles responded with a 9-0 run of their own, reclaiming the lead at 43-42 in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

With less than two minutes remaining, the Lady Falcons regained the advantage, 45-43 after an and-1 play from Oluwakemi Adeshina.

Ateneo quickly answered with a basket from Kacey Dela Rosa, who was playing with four fouls.

Cheska Apag scored a quick two for Adamson, but Junize Calago responded with a three-point play and a trip to the free-throw line, giving Ateneo a narrow 49-47 lead.

The Ateneo crowd was already celebrating until Apag’s clutch putback with just 5.5 seconds left tied the game at 49-all, forcing overtime.

In the extra period, Etang opened the scoring with a three-pointer.

Adamson’s full-court press defense then disrupted Ateneo’s rhythm, leading to crucial turnovers and missed opportunities.

The Lady Falcons surged to a 7-1 run in overtime.

Ateneo fought back behind their statistical leader, Dela Rosa, who scored all four of Ateneo’s points in the extra period.

However, Adamson held on to secure the victory.

Etang led the Lady Falcons, who will play the UST Golden Tigresses in the next phase of the Final Four gauntlet with the winners facing the undefeated NU Lady Bulldogs in the finals, with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Adeshina added 16 points and 7 rebounds.

Dela Rosa's MVP season ended with a 19-point and 24-rebound performance for the Blue Eagles, while Calago added 14 points, and Sarah Makanjoula put up 10 points and 23 rebounds.

The Scores:

AdU (59) - Etang 22, Adeshina 16, Apag 10, Limbago 3, Alaba 3, Meniano 2, Agojo 2, Padilla 1, Mazo 0, Ornopia 0, Bajo 0, Manlimos 0, Trabado 0, Alaba 0.

Ateneo (53) - Dela Rosa 19, Calago 14, Makanjoula 10, Oani 5, Villacruz 2, Aquirre 2, Batongbakal 1, Angala 0, Cancio 0, Eufemiano 0.

Quarterscores: 13-14, 23-25, 40-34, 49-49, 59-53.

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