Adamson continues strong first-round start, edges UP for 4-2 slate
Date Posted: October 1, 2024 at 02:55 PM
The Lady Falcons survived an early shooting slump to stave off University of the Philippines, 60-56, at the UAAP 87 Women's Basketball Tournament, September 28, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Despite offensive struggles stifling the team in the opening frame, dropping only nine points and having to play catch up with UP, who found its rhythm early, Adamson still managed to dig deep and find ways to turn the tides to their favor en route to one of their best starts in the recent decade with a 4-2 card.
“I'm really happy and proud that this is a testament of maturity for them. After a bad loss, a devastating loss against UP last year, I was expecting more from them, telling them that we have to get back at this, and we have to stay where we want to be,” said head coach Ryan Monteclaro.
Adamson eventually got out of its slow start when Kemi Adeshina, who once again steered Adamson’s offense with 18 points, drained back-to-back points to squeeze the Diliman-based crew’s lead to a solitary point before Cheska Apag added another basket to push their advantage to four points at 24-20.
“[For the] past two days, I was not in there. Like, I was not making a lot of points, but my teammates, I'm helping them in a way that I've helped them,” Adeshina shared.
“I'm so excited with my performance, and thanks to my teammates, because without them, I can't have a lot of points.”
The San Marcelino-based team then weathered a late fourth-quarter fightback from their Diliman-based foes, with Achrissa Maw taking charge for her side to cut the deficit to two points.
However, Kat Agojo responded with a floater to stretch Adamson’s lead to four points, completing their comeback finish.
Apag chalked in 12 points with six rebounds and five steals, while Ellaine Etang added 11 markers.
The Lady Falcons, now poised for the third spot, will look to overcome the University of the East on October 6, at the same Pasay venue. ACM
