Hanapi holds the fort as Falcons withstand Bulldogs to stay alive

MANILA, Philippines – Didat Hanapi made big plays in the final quarter to help keep Adamson’s playoff hopes alive in UAAP Season 86 at the expense of NU, 68-62, Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

After the Soaring Falcons took a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter, 52-42, following a pair of free throws by Eli Ramos, the Bulldogs stormed back and unleashed six straight points capped by a layup by Kean Baclaan. 

Hanapi then answered with a 3-pointer to help the Falcons keep the Bulldogs at bay, 55-48. 

PJ Palacielo split a free throw on the other end, and Baclaan hit a booming trey as NU inched closer, 52-55. 

Hanapi again stopped the bleeding with a layup. An and-one play by OJ Ojarikre pushed the lead to eight, 60-52. 

The Bulldogs, however, did not go down without a fight.

Baskets by NU’s Jake Figueroa and Omar John cut Adamson’s lead anew to six, 56-60, with 2:12 remaining. 

Hanapi once again played the hero, hitting a drifting jumper as the shot clock expired to keep the Falcons ahead, 62-56.

Baclaan, on the other end, split from the free throw line. 

A Ced Manzano layup gave the Falcons a 64-57 cushion with 1:17 remaining. 

After another split by Mike Malonzo and a pair of free throws by Figueroa, the Bulldogs were still within striking distance with 37 ticks left. 

A layup by Adamson’s Joshua Yerro amid tremendous pressure slammed the door shut for NU, 66-60, with 22.2 seconds remaining. 

Hanapi finished with 13 points and six rebounds off the bench. He was followed by Monty Montebon and Manzano, who both scored 12 makers. 

Baclaan top-scored for NU with 24 points and pulled down eight rebounds in the losing effort. 

Adamson had 50 points scored off the bench and also recorded 14 second chance points. 

The Falcons led by seven, 40-33, at the half. 

The Bulldogs then stormed back and tied the game at 40 in the third quarter following the heroics of Baclaan. 

But the San Marcelino-nased cagers countered with a 10-2 run to finish the third frame.

Adamson is now holding a 6-7 win-loss slate. NU, meanwhile, dropped to 10-3 and is now tied with La Salle Green at third.

The Falcons will head to their last elimination game of the season this weekend against the UE, aiming to advance to the Final Four for the second straight season.

If Adamson wins and the 7-7 Ateneo loses its final elimination game against the red-hot Green Archers, the Falcons and the Blue Eagles will figure in a playoff for the last semis seat.