MANILA — University of the Philippines transformed a shaky, double-digit deficit into a statement victory on Sunday as Ilonggo guard Gerry Abadiano unleashed a fourth-quarter explosion to tow the Fighting Maroons past the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 79-75, and lock in a twice-to-beat bonus in the UAAP Season 88 Final Four at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Down by as many as 16 points, the Maroons found their footing late, with Abadiano detonating for 16 of his team-high 18 points in the payoff period. His four straight baskets flipped a 58-56 deficit into a 60-58 UP lead, sparking the momentum shift that changed the course of the match.
Ateneo briefly knotted the score at 60-all, but UP countered with the decisive blows—this time through Abadiano and big man Francis Nnoruka—to erect a cushion the Blue Eagles could no longer erase. Nnoruka dominated with a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds as UP improved to 10-3.
“Lagi lang sinasabi sa amin ni Coach Gold na huwag kaming tumigil. Even may challenges kami nung first half at lumamang sila ng malaki, ang nasa isip lang namin continue lang sa paglalaro, keep on pounding lang,” Abadiano said.
Jared Bahay led Ateneo with 21 points, while Kymani Ladi and Shawn Tuano added 17 and 10, respectively. The Blue Eagles slipped to 6-7.
In the earlier game, the Adamson Falcons stayed in the Final Four hunt with a cardiac 61-60 comeback win over the La Salle Green Archers. Trailing 45-50 entering the fourth, the Falcons rode a fiery rally from Matthew Erolon, Cedrick Manzano, and AJ Fransman to build a 61-55 edge.
La Salle mounted a last-gasp push through Jacob Cortez’s jumper and an Earl Abadam triple to come within 60-61, but Abadam’s potential game-winner at the buzzer rimmed out.
Erolon topscored for Adamson with 18 points on five three-pointers, while Manzano finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Montebon added 10./PN
