La Salle books Final Four slot at Adamson's expense; Ateneo a win away from another season sweep

The De La Salle Green Archers booked a Final Four slot in UAAP Season 84 after defeating the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 64-51, on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After the third period finished at 33-all, the Taft-based squad banked on a 21-point explosion and limited the Falcons to just eight points in the fourth quarter to take the win.

The victory marked La Salle's return to the Final Four after missing the bus in UAAP Seasons 81 and 82.

Schonny Winston listed 19 points for the Taft-based squad while Evan Nelle and Kurt Lojera added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

League leading Ateneo Blue Eagles, meanwhile, moved a win away from another sweep of the season after taking down the FEU Tamaraws, 70-53. Raffy Verano made 17 points and 13 rebounds while Tyler Tio listed 14 markers for the Ateneo's 13th straight win in the season.

The UP Fighting Maroons handed the UST Growling Tigers a beatdown, 96-67, while the NU Bulldogs kept the UE Red Warriors winless after a 100-81 win against the Recto-based squad.

With Ateneo, UP, and La Salle already assured of the first three spots in the playoffs, only one spot is left in the Final Four. NU and FEU are tied with a 6-7 card, while Adamson follows with 5-8. UST and UE remained at the bottom two of the standings.

On the last day of the elimination round on Sunday, Adamson will face UE, while UST will look to play spoiler for the playoff hopes of FEU. La Salle will go against NU while the Ateneo will face league no. 2 UP to cap Sunday's events.

—JMB, GMA News