Adamson University vented its frustrations on an Ateneo de Manila University side playing without head coach Louie Alas, scoring a 62-55 victory to snap its four-game losing streak and revive its Final Four aspirations in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

A major factor in the Soaring Falcons’ much-needed win was the return of Nigerian center Precious Jonah, who missed their last two games due to a right leg injury.

Coming off a shocking loss to winless University of the East last Saturday, Jonah made an immediate impact, finishing with 11 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks to help Adamson improve to 5-7.

The victory also pulled the Falcons into a tie with Ateneo for sixth place, with joint third-placers Far Eastern University and De La Salle University just one-and-a-half games ahead at 6-5.

Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles suffered their third consecutive defeat, falling to the same 5-7 record as Adamson.

The Final Four race will heat up further on Sunday, with two crucial matchups carrying significant postseason implications at the Big Dome. Adamson will take on La Salle at 2:30 p.m., while Ateneo battles fifth-running University of Santo Tomas (6-6) at 5 p.m.

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Far Eastern University sealed its date with destiny in spectacular fashion, earning the right to extend its reign as the undisputed queen of UAAP women’s football for a fifth consecutive season.

Jelani Pabuaya and Judie Arevalo linked up twice, while Tiffany Trinidad netted a hat-trick to power FEU past Ateneo, 5-1, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Final Four on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.

FEU advances to its sixth consecutive final, scheduled for next Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the same venue, provided the University of the Philippines fails to force a rubber match against De La Salle University later Friday evening. Beyond extending their championship reign, the Lady Tamaraws will also be gunning for their 15th overall title in the division.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

“One game at a time, so we need to be focused… i-wo-work up ko ‘yong mental aspect ng players,” said head coach Let Dimzon. “Nagiging do’n kami nagkakaroon ng problem at the very start of the game. Kinakabahan, pero they need to overcome ‘yong kaba na ‘yan para makapag-focus din sila.

“Kailangan lang talaga silang bigyan ng more confidence and then ‘yong motivation… ‘yong response nila do’n sa second half, I think it’s a good way kung papaano namin i-wo-work against whoever na makakalaban namin for the final game,” she added.

Pabuaya and Arevalo set the tone for the defending champions with identical plays on either side of halftime. Pabuaya delivered right-footed passes across the face of the goal, allowing Arevalo to finish from close range in the 45+1st and 51st minutes.

Trinidad then took center stage, finding the back of the net from inside the Ateneo box in the 58th and 68th minutes before completing her hat-trick — and sealing the Lady Tamaraws’ victory — with a spectacular long-range strike in the 88th minute.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

“So very chaotic ‘yong first half and then very stressful for me,” said Dimzon. “But the adjustment during the second half—do’n ‘yong early goal na ‘yon, and then the quality passes… dahil since most of them are moving na and then wala nang standing football, so it works. Mental lang talaga ‘yong kailangang i-correct… kung gusto n’yo talagang kuhanin ‘yong game, so you need to work really hard.”

Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles wrapped up their campaign in fourth place after struggling to gain a foothold against the defending champions throughout the match. Jada Bicierro scored a consolation goal in the 90+2nd minute — her fifth of the season — to put Ateneo on the scoreboard before the final whistle.

Ateneo’s elimination guarantees that either UP or La Salle will claim at least the bronze medal this season.

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Josh Garces and Ramil Bation scored two goals apiece as defending champion University of the Philippines powered its way to a 4-2 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Garces, a third-year striker from Don Bosco Cebu, kick-started the Fighting Maroons’ comeback with the equalizer in the 37th minute before doubling their advantage in the 53rd.

Meanwhile, Bation, the Season 86 Rookie of the Year, found the back of the net twice off free kicks.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

His first, a direct attempt that took a slight deflection, gave the hosts their second goal in the 41st minute, while his second came on a rebound in the 79th to put the game beyond Ateneo’s reach.

UP remained in third place with 14 points, tied with De La Salle University but trailing the Green Booters in goal difference, plus-four to plus-13.

“We conceded six goals last round. We told the team, the goal now for the second round is not to concede goals, but we just conceded two goals,” said head coach Popoy Clarino.

“The good thing about this is that we found the back of the net four times; the team responded well to the pressure. It was a better performance to start the second round, and we hope that we stay consistent for the next five games,” he added.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

The Blue Eagles, who also took the lead in their first-round 1-1 draw against UP, drew first blood this time through a vicious strike from team captain Dov Cariño in the 21st minute.

However, Ateneo failed to protect its advantage as the Fighting Maroons responded with three unanswered goals.

Renz Partosa pulled one back for the Blue Eagles in the 69th minute to cut the deficit to one, but Bation restored UP’s two-goal cushion 10 minutes later.

Cariño threatened again late in the match, but substitute Andres Dumlao came up with a crucial stop to deny his cross.

Ateneo remained in seventh place with four points, slipping to a minus-eight goal difference.

Both teams return to action on Sunday, with UP taking on league leader Adamson University at 2 p.m. before Ateneo battles Far Eastern University at 7 p.m.

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