ADAMSON University caught the last UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Final Four bus after defeating University of the East 68-55 in a playoff for the No. 4 berth at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
However, the Soaring Falcons' reward for entering the semifinals is to face defending champion De La Salle Green Archers, the top seed of the tournament with a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.
The Nash Racela-mentored Adamson team got blown out by the Topex Robinson-coached La Salle twice in the eliminations 52-82 on Sept. 11 and 45-70 on Oct. 19.
Despite the disparity Racela said the Soaring Falcons remain undaunted in their semifinal match-up against the Green Archers.
What's in the past cannot be changed but in the present, they still have a chance, he said.
"Well the good thing about it is we don't have to bring it to the Final Four," said Racela of Adamson's two huge losses to La Salle in the elims.
"It's the same mentality for us. We tell ourselves that 'the next game will be different'. Hopefully, we give them a challenge and hopefully beat them, give ourselves a chance. I know these players they'll be ready to do their part."
The Soaring Falcons begin their bid to take down the Archers on Nov. 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, but for now they are happy to advance to the semifinals after going through the playoff for No. 4 for the third straight year in the league.
Adamson is now 2-1 in those playoff games, winning against La Salle in Season 85, losing to Ateneo in Season 86, and winning over UE in Season 87.
"We're grateful that in two out of the three knockout games, we're able to advance. Like I said the last time, if we need to go through knockout games every year we'll go through that just to make it to the Final Four," said Racela, whose team went on a 5-game skid before winning four of its last five to make the semis.
"I think the beauty about it is that we really gave ourselves a chance, the team, the players, more specifically, they did their part in getting here. But, yeah, we still have some job to do in the next week. We take a rest and hopefully, we recover quickly."
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