Adamson eclipses La Salle, completes UAAP Season 85 Final Four cast

 The UAAP Season 85 Final Four cast has been set.

Adamson University eclipsed De La Salle University, 80-76, to book the last Final Four ticket on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

A rally in the second half from Adamson gave them their first lead in the game, 57-56, with 2:48 left in the third period before La Salle reclaimed the lead to end the frame at 60-59. 

As the Taft-based squad led with 2:20 left in the fourth period after a Ben Philips triple, 74-72, the Falcons had a 5-0 run to reclaim the lead, 77-74. Evan Nelle cut the Green Archers' deficit, 77-76, before free throws from Jerom Lastimosa and Joshua Yerro sealed the deal for the Falcons.

Lastimosa had 22 points, six assists, and three steals, while Yerro had 13 points, six rebounds, and an assist.

Evan Nelle had 22 points, seven assists, four rebounds, one steal, and one block to lead the Archers.

With the win, Adamson will face Ateneo de Manila University, which holds a twice-to-beat advantage, while University of the Philippines, also with a playoff bonus, will battle National University.

Final Four games will be played on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Earlier, the La Salle Lady Archers booked a ticket to the Finals after defeating University of Santo Tomas in a rubber match, 74-69. La Salle will face National University in the women's basketball finals.

The scores:

Adamson 80 -- Lastimosa 22, Yerro 13, Manlapaz 11, Douanga 10, Manzano 8, Sabandal 8, Jaymalin 3, Hanapi 2, Flowers 2, Torres 1, V. Magbuhos 0, Colonia 0, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0.

La Salle 76 -- Nelle 22, Nonoy 15, B. Phillips 11, Austria 11, Cortez 10, Abadam 3, Macalalag 2, Buensalida 2, Estacio 0, Nwankwo 0, Manuel 0.

Quarters: 20-27, 38-48, 59-60, 80-76.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News