Adamson Falcons’ Manu Anabo during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game against Ateneo Blue Eagles. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Manu Anabo flaunted his next man-up mentality for Adamson, helping the Soaring Falcons live another day by forcing a playoff for No.4 against the University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

With Jhon Calisay getting ejected in the final moments of the second quarter due to two technical fouls, Anabo stepped up when it mattered most conspiring with Royce Mantua and Matt Erolon to save Adamson’s season with a crucial 69-55 win over Ateneo on Saturday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

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READ: UAAP: Adamson beats Ateneo, plays UE for last Final Four spot

The Letran high school product delivered 13 points as Adamson plays its third straight playoff since Season 85, battling UE on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena. for the right to face the No.1 seed defending champion La Salle. 

“This is something I really worked on during the preseason, and I embraced my role, especially after Calisay was sidelined. He was one of our key defensive players, so someone had to step up to fill that gap. I took on that challenge wholeheartedly,” said Anabo.

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Anabo, who drilled two clutch treys that kept Ateneo at bay down the stretch, heeded the call of Adamson coach Nash Racela to leave everything on the floor.

“This is exactly what Coach Nash expects from me—being a 3-and-D player, focusing on defense, staying ready on the perimeter for kick-out passes, and taking good shots. I know I struggled in the first half, but I made the necessary adjustments in the second,” he explained.

READ: UAAP: Adamson hopes to make Final Four ‘the hard way’

Calisay, who got called for taunting then for delay of the game– is likely suspended in their playoff game due to ejection, b ut Anabo vows to fill his shoes.

“I’m just staying ready. We’ll see if adjustments will be made by the coaches during practice to step up even more since it’s already do-or-die. It could be the last game, or maybe there’ll be another one,” he said.

Like what they did against Ateneo, expect Anabo and the Falcons to continue to play their hearts out, playing another do-or-die game against the skidding Red Warriors. 

“Coach Nash said there’s nothing left to hold back, so we’ll give it our all. There’s nothing to keep in our pockets—we’ll lay everything on the line in our next game heading to the Final Four,” he said.