Late Triple Seals Falcons’ 63-60 Win Against Green Archers

Matt Erolon delivered the decisive three-pointer as Adamson edged defending champion La Salle, 63-60, during UAAP Season 89 action. The Soaring Falcons completed their first-round schedule at 4-3, securing third place after another tense finish at Blue Eagle Gym.

Matt Erolon Hits Go-Ahead Three for Adamson

Rom Anzures of ABS-CBN News covered Adamson’s narrow victory over La Salle and Erolon’s decisive fourth-quarter contribution Sunday evening. Erolon buried the go-ahead three-pointer with 30.7 seconds remaining, putting the Soaring Falcons ahead during the closing possessions.

The Adamson guard finished with a team-high 14 points, providing the biggest basket during another closely contested fourth quarter. Matthew Montebon contributed 11 points, while Emman Anabo scored eight and later converted two free throws to secure victory.

Image from: Rebanse / Facebook

Guard Finishes With Team-High 14 Points

Erolon’s 14 points led Adamson’s scoring effort, with his final three-pointer becoming the decisive field goal against La Salle. Anabo subsequently converted two late free throws, helping the Falcons protect their advantage before completing the 63-60 first-round victory.

Adamson Builds 15-Point Lead Against La Salle

Adamson controlled the opening quarter by outscoring La Salle, 23-10, before stretching its advantage to 15 points during the game. The Falcons carried a 36-28 lead into halftime after limiting the defending champions throughout much of the opening two quarters.

Adamson maintained its advantage during the third period and entered the final quarter holding a 51-41 lead over La Salle. That margin left the Green Archers needing another comeback before they could challenge Adamson during the game’s closing minutes.

Falcons Carry Eight-Point Advantage Into Halftime

Adamson’s 23-point opening quarter established immediate separation before the Falcons entered halftime holding a 36-28 advantage over La Salle. The Soaring Falcons then preserved their lead through the third quarter, carrying a 10-point cushion into the final period.

La Salle Takes Lead During Fourth-Quarter Rally

La Salle gradually erased Adamson’s advantage before Jacob Cortez finally moved the Green Archers ahead during the fourth quarter. Cortez connected from three-point range with 5:37 remaining, giving La Salle its first lead of the game at 56-54.

Adamson later recovered the advantage before Erolon’s three-pointer with 30.7 seconds remaining provided the Falcons’ decisive late-game basket. The response came after La Salle had erased a deficit that reached 15 points earlier during the first-round contest.

Cortez Puts Green Archers Ahead With 5:37 Left

Cortez’s three-pointer completed La Salle’s comeback from its double-digit deficit and produced the Green Archers’ first advantage at 56-54. Erolon eventually answered with Adamson’s go-ahead three, setting up the final possessions of the Falcons’ three-point victory.

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Adamson Holds On After Erolon’s Late Triple

Adamson entered the La Salle matchup following a 69-67 defeat against University of the Philippines in another close first-round finish. The Falcons had surrendered a double-digit advantage in that game before Reinhard Jumamoy’s late three-pointer decided their next tight contest.

Head coach Nash Racela connected Adamson’s response against La Salle with lessons his players gained from their narrow defeat against UP. His comments followed another game where the Falcons built a substantial advantage before facing serious pressure during the closing period.

“We had to go through that fire for us to be better,” said Racela, referring to Adamson’s narrow loss to State U after surrendering a double-digit advantage.

La Salle Shooting Struggles During Three-Point Defeat

La Salle finished 19-of-58 from the field for 32.8 percent while converting 18 of its 26 free-throw attempts. Cortez and Mike Agunanne scored 12 points apiece, becoming the only Green Archers who reached double figures against Adamson.

Adamson Finishes UAAP First Round at 4-3

The victory lifted Adamson to 4-3 after seven games, completing the opening round in third place during Season 89. UST and Far Eastern University also finished at 4-3, leaving three teams level on victories entering the tournament’s second round.

Racela acknowledged that Adamson’s first-round position surpassed his expectations despite knowing the potential available within his developing Falcons roster. La Salle, meanwhile, dropped to 3-4 after its comeback attempt fell short during Sunday’s three-point defeat against Adamson.

“We should be happy with where we are right now, and to be honest, as a coach, I know what we can do as a team, but my players really surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to be at this point after the first round,” said Racela.

Racela Says Falcons Exceeded His Expectations

Racela expressed satisfaction with Adamson’s first-round position while admitting his players had surpassed his expectations through seven Season 89 games. The Falcons reached the halfway point at 4-3 after following their narrow UP defeat with Sunday’s victory over La Salle.

Analytical Breakdown: Adamson Needs More Consistent Finishes

Adamson’s response against La Salle showed improved composure after its previous endgame collapse against UP threatened valuable first-round momentum. Erolon’s decisive three demonstrated confidence under pressure, but Adamson’s larger challenge remains protecting advantages before games reach those situations. The Falcons become considerably stronger if their disciplined starts are matched by consistent execution throughout increasingly important second-round closing stretches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Adamson versus La Salle UAAP game?

Adamson defeated La Salle, 63-60, to finish its UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball first-round campaign with a 4-3 record.

Who hit the winning shot for Adamson?

Matt Erolon buried the go-ahead three-pointer with 30.7 seconds remaining and finished with a team-high 14 points.

What is Adamson’s record after the first round?

The Soaring Falcons completed the UAAP Season 89 first round at 4-3, finishing alongside UST and FEU.

How did La Salle shoot against Adamson?

La Salle shot 19-of-58 from the field for 32.8 percent and converted 18-of-26 attempts from the free-throw line.

Who led La Salle in scoring?

Jacob Cortez and Mike Agunanne led the Green Archers with 12 points apiece during their three-point loss to Adamson.

Disclaimer: Headline Image from Tiebreaker Times.