Adamson wins, La Salle loses

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson snatched solo fourth for an inside track to the last Final Four seat as La Salle stumbled to fifth in a frantic UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament race yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Falcons leaned on Jerom Lastimosa’s heroics for a thrilling 64-63 win over National U followed by the Green Archers’ costly 80-72 defeat against also-ran University of the East to steal fourth spot with a 7-6 card.

Their Final Four composition will be determined on Wednesday after the final elims playdate. Defending champion UP (11-2), Ateneo (9-3) and NU (9-4) are already in.

Adamson has to win its last assignment against Ateneo to complete the Final Four picture with La Salle, at 6-7, needing an Adamson loss and a win against cellar-dweller Santo Tomas to force a tie at 7-7 and a knockout for the No. 4.

Meanwhile, National U poured all of its wrath on a hapless Adamson side with a 101-55 win after a stunning 61-57 defeat against La Salle last Wednesday ended the Lady Bulldogs’ historic 108-game win streak that lasted nine years.

The Lady Bulldogs thus finished at 13-1 for still a top-seeding and a twice-to-beat bonus in their first Final Four format appearance after advancing straight to the finals in the past seven seasons.