Adamson Lady Falcons celebrate after advancing into the next round of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball stepladder semifinals with a thrilling win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Cheska Apag came to the rescue as Adamson staved off Ateneo in overtime, 59-53, Saturday to advance to the next round in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball stepladder semifinals at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With Ateneo holding a precarious 49-47 lead in the final minutes, Apag grabbed a big offensive rebound and hit the game-tying turnaround jumper with 5.5 seconds left to force OT.
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“It’s all about the heart na talagang gusto manalo kahit na mahirap pero still we know na we can do it. Kaya namin manalo despite na lamang sila sa amin. Sabi nga ni coach tatlong mythical 5 sa team na yun sa amin walang superstars but still buo kami na gustong manalo,” said Apag, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
READ: UAAP: Adamson downs Ateneo in women’s basketball semis preview
Adamson coach Ryan Monteclaro on Cheska Apag’s heroics. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/KoFb9iC8MI
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 30, 2024
Elaine Etang opened extra session with a big triple while Kemi Adeshina scored back-to-back baskets to push the lead to 56-51 with 3:20 left.
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Adamson made the big stops before Apag split her free throws and Etang’s perfect trip from the charity stripe sealed their win.
The graduating Etang led the Lady Falcons with 22 points and eight rebounds, while Adeshina had 16 points and seven rebounds to advance to the next stage of the stepladder semis against defending champion University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday.
“Sabi ko before the game, God will always provide for those people who work for it. And you can tell naman, even if we’re the third in the seeding, with the three players there na Mythical Five candidate, I think these players deserve this win and they just proved that that shot was no luck. It was made in the Adamson court, every day, every morning,” said Adamson coach Ryan Monteclaro.
Adamson heads into its second consecutive knockout match aiming to end a 13-year finals drought.
In a low-scoring ball game, Adamson blew a 42-34 lead mid-fourth quarter as Kacey Dela Rosa’s three-point play capped a 9-0 run to put Ateneo ahead, 43-42, with five minutes left.
READ: UAAP: Ateneo win sends Adamson to women’s basketball Final Four
Adeshina’s three-point play stopped the bleeding for the Lady Falcons to regain the lead, 45-43. However, Junize Calago hit clutch shots including a triple from the top of the key and split free throws for a 49-47 breather with 40.5 seconds left.
Apag attempted a go-ahead three but missed it. She never gave up on their next possession getting the offensive board and forcing overtime.
“I believe in each and every one of them and she was telling me ‘wag sakin’ or ‘bakit sakin? I keep on missing shots’. I was telling her, at the end of the day, you know, the confidence has to be there. Whatever happens, we live and die with that, if mashoot mo yun, magaling ka. If hindi mo mashoot, I’ll take the blame for that, and after the shot, she made the overtime shot, she was running to me and telling me coach thank you, thank you coach,” said Monteclaro.
“For me, it’s not about me. It’s about them. That’s the hard work. The work they put in, day in and day out.”
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Ateneo finished fourth for the second straight season with the newly-minted two-time MVP Dela Rosa leading the charger with 19 points, 24 rebounds, and five blocks.
Calago contributed 14 points, six rebounds, and three steals but committed nine of the team’s 34 turnovers. Sarah Makanjuola added 10 points and 23 rebounds.