Adamson University’s Cheska Apag against Ateneo de Manila University’s Junize Calago in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball Final 4 stepladder. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Adamson University defied adversity to advance into the next stage of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball Final 4.

The Lady Falcons were able to do this after they escaped Ateneo de Manila University, 59-53, in their overtime stepladder faceoff on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The San Marcelino-based squad will be facing defending champions University of Santo Tomas in the do-or-die semifinals clash, and awaiting the victor of that matchup in the Finals is National University.

Elaine Etang stared for Adamson, putting up 22 points eight rebounds, and three steals to lead all scorers, and also vital in the Ryan Monteclaro-mentored squad’s win were Victoria Adeshina who had a 16-point, seven-rebound game, and Cheska Apag who tallied 10 markers and 10 boards.

“It’s all about the heart na talagang gusto namin manalo kahit na mahirap,” said Apag, who drained a crucial basket that made it possible for Adamson to stay alive and force overtime.  

“Buo kami na kaya namin manalo even though lamang sila sa amin. Walang superstar, but still buo kami na willing manalo sa game na ito,” she continued.

After failing to hold on to their eight-point cushion early in the final canto, the Lady Falcons saw themselves down, 49-47, as the Blue Eagles looked to take home the victory and advance into the semifinals over the third-seed Adamson U.

Apag missed a three-pointer with only 26 ticks left on the game clock, while Kim Limbago’s attempt at the four-second mark also missed the bottom of the net 22 seconds later.

Fortunately for Adamson, Apag grabbed the offensive glass, and she went on to drain her deuce to keep the Lady Falcons alive and tie the game at 49 just before regulation ended.

Etang and Adeshina then went on to open OT with a five-to-nothing spurt, with the former hitting a trey while the latter made a lay-in, and that eventually was all the Lady Falcons needed to build momentum as Apag closed the contest by draining the much-needed free throws to eliminate Ateneo.

“Even if we’re the third seed, I think these players deserve this win,” said Monteclaro of the efforts of his women. “They just proved that [Etang’s] shot was no luck. It was made in the Adamson court every day, every morning,” he added.

On the other hand, Season 87 MVP Kacey Dela Rosa paced the fourth-place Blue Eagles with a stellar outing of 19 points, 24 rebounds, five blocks, and one steal.

Her frontline partner Sarah Makanjoula submitted 10 points, 23 rebounds, and a block, while Junize Calago was also impressive with 14 markers, six boards, three steals, and two assists.

THE SCORES:

Adamson 59 -– Etang 22, Adeshina 16, Apag 10, Limbago 3, Alaba 3, Meniano 2, Agojo 2, Padilla 1, Mazo 0, Ornopia 0, Bajo 0, Manlimos 0, Trabado 0, Alaba 0.

Ateneo 53 -– Dela Rosa 19, Calago 14, Makanjoula 10, Oani 5, Villacruz 2, Aquirre 2, Batongbakal 1, Angala 0, Cancio 0, Eufemiano 0.

Quarterscores: 13-14, 23-25, 40-34, 49-49, 59-53.