By ADRIAN STEWART CO
University of the Philippines (UP) clinched its seventh straight UAAP Final 4 appearance as Negrense Reyland Torres sparked a crucial fourth-quarter push to lift the UP Fighting Maroons past the Adamson Falcons, 70-65, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, November 16.
UP improved to 9-3 with its fifth consecutive victory, securing at least a playoff for the second twice-to-beat advantage while officially booking a spot in the semifinals.
“Every time na may naa-achieve kaming goal, masaya kami for that, but understanding that it’s just part of the journey,” UP coach Goldwin Monteverde said.
“For the team, I believe we started out well, but we need to learn to try to finish off ‘yung inumpisahan namin every game,” he added.
After Adamson trimmed a once 15-point deficit down to just two, 58-56, Torres provided UP with the separation it needed.
He fired five straight points — including a tough jumper and a transition finish — to push the Maroons ahead, 65-57, with 1:57 left, stabilizing the team in the game’s toughest stretch.
Francis Nnoruka led UP with 16 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks, while Gerry Abadiano also chipped in 16.
But it was Torres’ timely fourth-quarter burst that ultimately swung momentum back to the Maroons.
Ray Allen Torres carried Adamson with 23 points, while Matty Erolon added 19 as the Falcons slipped to 5-7.
In the earlier game, Far Eastern University (FEU) stayed in the Final 4 race after Kirby Mongcopa completed a perfect Janrey Pasaol setup with a go-ahead layup, lifting the Tamaraws to an 84-83 win over the De La Salle Green Archers.
FEU improved to 5-7 — still in seventh place but only a game and a half behind fourth-running La Salle, which dropped to 6-5.
“Grabe rin ‘yung preparations namin sa practice. Nakita namin [si Coach Sean] sa practice na sobrang focused niya. ‘Yung galit niya sa amin, pinapakita niya sa amin na kaya namin. Binigay lang namin ang best namin,” said rookie Mongcopa, who tallied 10 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and a block.
Pasaol paced FEU with 17 points and seven assists, while Mo Konateh added 14 points and nine rebounds./ASC, WDJ