UP survives late Adamson run, forces do-or-die for Finals slot

The UP Fighting Maroons' story in UAAP Season 81 is not yet over as they forced a rubber match against the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 73-71, in their Final Four face-off Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With less than three seconds left in the clock and both teams tied at 71, Season 81 MVP Bright Akhuetie made the shot that delivered the win for the Fighting Maroons.

Coming off an 11-point deficit as they entered the final frame, the Falcons dominated the fourth quarter with 28 points against UP's 19, but it was not enough to steal the win from the Maroons.

The Diliman-based squad stormed the Falcons with 26 points during the third quarter, 18 of which came from the Paul Desiderio and Javi Gomez de Liaño, who chipped in nine apiece.

It was a close game throughout the first half as the San Marcelino-based squad had the slim lead over the Maroons before the break, 29-28. UP made 17 points during the first period, but Adamson outscored the Diliman-based squad during the second quarter, 13 against UP's 11.

Desiderio led the Maroons with 19 points and eight rebounds, with all of his score made during the second half.

Paul Desiderio for the shot! UP with the lead, 71-69, 05.5 secs left | via @jk_carandang pic.twitter.com/eDPmjuUTwM

— GMA News (@gmanews) November 24, 2018

Juan Gomez de Liaño also listed 19 markers.

WATCH: Juan GDL slams to cut Adamson’s lead to two, 25-23 #UAAPSeason81 | @jk_carandang pic.twitter.com/laJk9BOyLA

— GMA News (@gmanews) November 24, 2018

For UP head coach Bo Perasol, winning against the second-seeded Falcons is not that easy, but he credited his players for making the plays when it mattered.

"Winning against Adamson is not easy. We have things we need to adjust when we go back to the drawing board. My guys just made the plays when it mattered. Juan made a great pass to Bright, Paul made that jump shot when it was needed. Juan again made that two crucial free throws. Everybody just contributed," Perasol said.

"There was a time that we got ahead. For sure everybody was thinking that we could've won it right away, but Adamson is not number 2 for nothing. They are a very resilient team and with that, I kept on telling them that no matter what happens, we have to go through these kinds of games and we're just blessed that we got out victorious tonight," he added.

Akhuetie was limited to six points, but the winning play during the final moments of the game was what they have practiced in training.

"These are the plays that we practice almost everyday. We did it also last night and in fact, in practice, Bright missed that but we're fortunate that he made that shot at the end of the shot clock," Perasol narrated.

Heading to the Wednesday's rubber match, Perasol said his squad will refuse a defeat.

"If the heads of our players are going to be our gauge, I think that what I saw in them is that they refuse to lose. I'm just joyful that I see that in them. For me at the end, it's not just about winning and losing but it's how we played through,"

This is the first time this season that UP won over Adamson. In their previous match-ups in the elimination round, Adamson had the upper hand, 69-68 during the first round and 80-72 during the second round.

The do-or-die game will happen on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum, and the winner of which will then proceed to this season’s UAAP Finals.

Ateneo and FEU will battle for the other Finals slot tomorrow, with the Blue Eagles having the twice-to-beat advantage. — MDM, GMA News