Ateneo clinches 9th straight Final Four appearance with rout of Adamson
At A Glance
- Defending champion Ateneo found its way back to the Final Four in dominant style and hacked out the biggest playoff margin win, 70-48, over Adamson in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Defending champion Ateneo found its way back to the Final Four in dominant style and hacked out the biggest playoff margin win, 70-48, over Adamson in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Blue Eagles completed the semifinal cast and will be facing two-time championship rival and twice-to-beat armed UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday, Nov. 25.
Jared Brown delivered 14 points in the first half to finish with 20 points after connecting on four of seven three-pointers and 14 overall.

Sean Quitevis and Mason Amos chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Soaring Falcons, who forced their way to the semifinal last season in a similar knockout match against the La Salle Green Archers, couldn't find their rhythm that time and struggled throughout the game.
Ateneo led from the start until the endgame and even held a 25-point lead in the closing period to come away with the victory.
“It was, even though on the scoreboard it didn’t look like it, a tough game. It always is with Adamson. This was reflected in the low shooting percentage. Though in the first half, we had some freedom, especially Jared, he shot the ball well, getting 14 points. In the third quarter, we knew we’re gonna have to dig deep which was reflected in our defense and in our rebounds,” head coach Baldwin said.
No Soaring Falcon breached the double-digit mark as Matt Erolon registered only nine points in their measly shooting playoff display.
Adamson star guard Jerom Lastimosa, who played the last 23 seconds of the second quarter and returned to the court with less than two minutes left in the game, made a triple to the delight of the 7,088-weekday crowd.
The scores:
Ateneo (70) – Brown 20, Quitevis 11, Amos 10, Ballungay 7, Bongo 4, Obasa 4, Koon 3, Nieto 3, Credo 3, Espinosa 3, Lazaro 2, Chiu 0, Gamber 0, Tuano 0.
AdU (48) – Erolon 9, Hanapi 8, Calisay 5, Manzano 4, Yerro 4, Montebon 4, Sabandal 4, Magbuhos 3, Lastimosa 3, Barasi 2, Ramos 2, Colonia 0, Ojarikre 0, Cañete 0, Barcelona 0, Anabo 0.
Quarterscores: 24-15, 40-25, 56-39, 70-48