Hard part begins for do-or-die survivor Falcons

Adamson coach Nash Racela.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Hacking out with a dramatic knockout victory to clinch the last semifinal berth of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament was only the beginning for Adamson.

Now comes the hard part.

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To make the reward of that do-or-die win last beyond a playdate, the Falcons must beat an opponent that has lost just twice the entire season, has beaten them twice in the elimination round by a total of 55 points, is powered by a gem of a star who has now won the MVP trophy a second straight year by edging out his teammate and is coming into the Final Four eager to bounce back from a defeat.

“The good thing about it is we don’t have to bring [that losing record to La Salle] to the Final Four. We just leave it at that,” Adamson coach Nash Racela said. “We said the next game will be different. So hopefully we give [the Archers] a challenge and hopefully beat them.”

He even has to beat them twice.

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Adamson punched a semifinals ticket with a 68-55 triumph over University of the East last Wednesday and now prepares to battle a La Salle side ready to defend its throne.

The top-seeded Green Archers will be led by now two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao (See related story on this page) and are protected by a twice-to-beat bonus. They will be well-rested, too, having been on a 16-day break.

Scouting

Coach Topex Robinson has spent that time preparing his wards. On Wednesday, he was part of the crowd that watched the Falcons-Warriors duel, scouting both teams.

For Racela, the effort was worth it. The Falcons earned a shot at what skeptics say is an impossible task.

“We will give ourselves a chance. I know these players, they’ll be ready to do their part,” Racela said, who hopes his team’s improved shooting will supplement one of the league’s best defenses.

Quiambao will be backstopped by Mike Phillips, who finished second in the MVP race.

And the Archers will have additional fuel, too. La Salle lost its last game, 63-54, to out-of-it National U and experienced the pitfalls of shooting a frosty 32.3 percent.

For Robinson, the loss will serve his wards, who are overwhelming favorites to advance, well.

“Good thing we lost now. At least it kind of got us grounded, and at least [we know] what works and what doesn’t,” Robinson said. “We’re just going to make sure that we’re not going to put our players in a situation to fail again.”