25/10/2025
𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐮𝐞𝐥; 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝟐–𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠
The Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons put up a brave stand but bowed down in a nail-biting, 52–53, loss against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament, on Oct. 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Right from the tip-off, the Lady Falcons showed grit and composure, pushing the pace on both ends. Brianna Bajo opened the scoring with an early jumper, while Angela Alaba and Nadine Muñoz hustled to keep the game close.
However, foul trouble plagued Adamson in the opening quarter, allowing DLSU to cling on to a slim 14–13 lead after ten minutes.
Momentum started to shift in the second frame as Angeline Alaba knocked down a confident corner three to spark a rally.
Elaine Etang then took matters into her own hands, draining a jumper, converting a fast-break layup, and nailing a triple during a solo 7–0 surge.
Etang’s all-around brilliance lit up the court, with her vision creating chances for teammates like Cheska Apag and Jamanah Meniano, who capitalized on transition plays.
Despite a few defensive lapses that allowed the Lady Archers to recover before halftime, the Lady Falcons’ teamwork and energy remained evident.
The Lady Falcons entered the break trailing by just a single point, 29–30, and carried visible confidence heading into the second half.
The third quarter, however, tested the Lady Falcons’ resilience. They struggled to find their rhythm offensively as the Lady Archers tightened their interior defense.
Still, Oluwakemi Adeshina refused to back down, muscling her way inside for much-needed baskets that kept the Falcons in contention. Her persistence helped stabilize the team despite the Archers building a 46–37 cushion by the end of the third period.
Staying true to their fighting spirit, the Lady Falcons stormed back in the final quarter. Crisnalyn Padilla and Apag ignited the comeback with consecutive jumpers, cutting the deficit and energizing the Adamson bench.
Etang continued to shine, powering through contact for a layup, sinking a technical free throw, and assisting on key plays that brought the Falcons within two points midway through the frame.
With five minutes left, Meniano’s fast-break layup electrified the AdU crowd, trimming the gap to 46–48. The tension inside the arena grew with every possession.
Padilla hit a clutch three-pointer down the stretch, followed by Adeshina converting a drop pass to bring Adamson just a basket away.
In the dying seconds, the Lady Falcons executed their final play with poise. Etang drew the defense and found Meniano open for what could have been the game-winner. The shot looked good in the air, but it heartbreakingly rimmed out, sealing the 52–53 finish in favor of the Lady Archers.
Despite the outcome, Elaine Etang stood as Adamson’s brightest spark, posting 12 points, four assists, and four rebounds. Followed by Adeshina with seven points and Padilla with six points, who both played crucial roles, contributing both offensively and defensively during Adamson’s late-game push.
Now at 2–5, the Lady Falcons look to bounce back stronger and turn their grit into victory as they face the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors for their first game in round 2 of the UAAP Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Written by: Romeo Guillermo III
Photos by: Arlance Maceda
