Adamson coach Nash Racela.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Heeding the call of coach Nash Racela to “let everything out”, the pair of Royce Mantua and Matt Erolon led the Adamson Falcons in forcing a playoff for the last Final Four slot in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
Adamson displayed great team effort to overcome Ateneo, 69-55, and live another day on Saturday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
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Mantua shot 7-of-8 from the field to finish with a game-high 14 points for the Falcons, who will face University of the East in their third straight knockout game for the third consecutive season.
READ: UAAP: Adamson beats Ateneo, plays UE for last Final Four spot
“We all know that this is gonna be our final chance to be and to compete in the Final Four. We really have to play our A game,” said Mantua. “My shots just kept knocking down and everyone’s shot kept knocking down. I’m very happy. We all played our parts and we executed well, especially on defense.”
Mantua, a transferee from University of Santo Tomas, said Racela asked them to go all out. That’s why they did everything to keep their season alive. Manu Anabo also stepped up following Jhon Calisay’s early ouster after picking up two technical fouls.
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“It was to show our character if we’re willing to win this game, to show and fight so that’s what our coaches told us yesterday before our game and today. We really took that to heart and we really did it,” Mantua said.
Erolon, who had 11 points, four assists, and three rebounds, was happy to see his teammates rise to the occasion in the squad’s biggest game of the season.
READ: UAAP: Manu Anabo a timely hero for Adamson in Final Four race
“Siguro pinrove lang namin sa kanila na kaya namin maglaro as a team at sinunod lang namin yung game plan ni coach Nash,” said Erolon.
“Tutulungan lang namin sila. Gagawin lang namin yung part namin. Siguro sa defense talaga eh, kailangan namin magtulungan.”
Coming into another do-or-die, the Falcons continue to trust in Racela’s system.
“In coach Nash we trust. Heading to this game against UE, we just need to play our A game again, always, no matter what our role is, we just need to execute pretty much and play defense, main thing,” Mantua said.
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