Adamson’s AJ Fransman during a game against NU in UAAP Season 87.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Adamson stayed in Final Four contention and pulled the plug on National University’s semifinal bid with a 53-41 win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Siguro if hindi nangyari yung nangyari sa import nila then they could probably be No. 3 now o baka nga No. 2 pa so that’s how strong NU is. They just struggled because they got used to playing with an import during the preseason,” Adamson coach Nash Racela said of NU, which which was coming off upset wins over University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas.

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“Naglalaro sila dati 40 minutes with an import and then all of a sudden they lost their [foreign student-athlete] in the first quarter of the very first game [against La Salle]. We knew that they would go through struggles pero we also knew that they would find their bearings which they did in the second round. Nakapa na ni coach Jeff [Napa] finally siguro naglaro na sila kung sino talaga NU,” he went on.

READ: UAAP: Adamson responds to challenge, revives Final Four hopes

Adamson coach Nash Racela and AJ Fransman after beating NU to stay in Final Four contention. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/lwq6bKSh2x

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 10, 2024

AJ Fransman reset his career-best performance with 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Soaring Falcons who improved their semifinal hopes after rising to a 5-7 record.

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“Tulad nga ng sabi ni coach Nash at ng mga coaches namin: pumapabor samin yung games. Pinapanood namin yung other teams—pano sila lumalaban and pano sila nanalo. So, ayun nga sabi nga ni Coach Nash, the stars are aligned for us pero we just have to do our part,” he said.

Adamson, which was coming off an 11-day break, rose to solo fifth place in the standings.

READ: UAAP: Adamson stuns UE, snap 5-game slide

The Bulldogs, who absorbed their ninth loss in 13 games. became the latest team to get the boot after Ateneo, which missed the Final Four for the first time under coach Tab Baldwin.

PJ Palacielo paced NU with 10 points and seven rebounds. The Bulldogs, who will round out its campaign against top seed La Salle, had a tough time on the floor, shooting only 14-of-54 from the field.

The Falcons play the Growling Tigers in a crucial game on Saturday at Filoil EcoOil Centre before battling the Blue Eagles.