The Adamson Baby Falcons took control in the last period and repulsed the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, 84-75, Wednesday to reach to the second phase of the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines junior basketball stepladder semifinals.
John Erolon showed the way 16 points for the Baby Falcons, who posted their ninth win in 15 games at the Filoil Flying V Sports Center.
John Figueroa, who is the frontrunner in the MVP race, drilled in 15 points and 22 rebounds for the Baby Falcons, who will next clash with the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws in the second phase.
The Blue Eaglets, led by Forthsky Padrigao with 22 points, were in front in the beginning of the fourth period, 58-57.
That’s when Figueroa scored on a drive and charity in the last 9:04, touching off a 9-0 run.
The Baby Falcons, who are in the semis for a second straight season, then went on take a 66-58 advantage.
“They (Ateneo) had their way nu’ng first half tapos relaxed lang kami. Ang usapan namin, pahirapan sila at medyo nag-click. Tapos nakaratsada na,” said Baby Falcons’ coach Mike Fermin.
The Blue Eaglets, who will miss the finals after reaching it for two straight seasons, got 20 points from Joaquin Jaymalin.
LeBron Lopez was held to 13 markers, four boards and seven blocks after incurring three fouls in the first half.
The semis match between Adamson and FEU will be played on a later date after all UAAP games were canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
