De La Salle heaved a sigh of relief after securing the No. 3 spot and a Final Four berth with a 64-51 win against Adamson in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament Thursday, April 28.
Deschon Winston and Evan Nelle showed the way for the Green Archers who successfully clawed their way back to the Final Four after missing their chances in Seasons 81 and 82.
Winston posted 19 points and five rebounds while Nelle, who was the main sparkplug in the fourth quarter, chalked up 11 points and five rebounds as well.
De La Salle's backcourt duo connived in the payoff period with its consistent scoring and clamped down on their defense against Adamson star Jerom Lastimosa, who struggled from the field with a 3-of-13 clip and finished with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and four turnovers.
"I think we need to work hard for it. It was a total team effort for the whole team," said Archers head coach Derrick Pumaren. "We had a good talk the other day and after a long week, it's official that we have made it into the Final Four and it's a big win for us.
"We know that it's not going to be easy. We know that Adamson's not gonna lie down and die out there because they know the situation. We just keep pounding and pounding and we played great defense. We worked on that and we were able to contain them," added the two-time UAAP champion coach.
Justine Baltazar had a hard time finding his scoring groove but converted on the defensive end alongside Michael Phillips as the two big men combined for 10 points, 15 rebounds, and five steals.
Baltazar capped the Archers' mini run with a completed and-one play to create a much-needed distance at 57-47 with less than four minutes left.
Lojera, who also added 10 points and three rebounds, joined in the fray before Deschon and Nelle delivered the finishing touches for the Archers.
Ricky Peromingan contributed 11 points and eight rebounds for the Soaring Falcons, who fell to a 5-8 slate.
The loss may have spelled doom for Adamson but it still has one more game against the winless University of the East on Sunday, May 1 at 10 a.m. while De La Salle hopes to finish the elimination round on a high note against National University at 4:30 p.m.
The Scores:
LA SALLE 64 -- Winston 19, Nelle 11, Lojera 10, Austria 6, Baltazar 6, M. Phillips 4, Nwankwo 4, Manuel 2, B. Phillips 2, Nonoy 0.
ADAMSON 51 -- Lastimosa 11, Peromingan 11, Sabandal 8, Zaldivar 7, Douanga 6, Manzano 4, Hanapi 4, Magbuhos 0, Colonia 0, Yerro 0, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0, Maata 0, Jaymalin 0.
Quarters: 12-13, 27-26, 43-43, 64-51.