Finally! UP Fighting Maroons is at the top of Adamson for his first participation in the final phase of the UAAP in 32 years

Manila, Philippines-(UPDATE) For the first time in 32 years, the University of the Philippines will be competing in the final phase of the UAAP.

The Fighting Maroons survived Adamson University in a 89-87 overtime classic in front of a large crowd at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night to qualify for the UAAP Season 81 men's basketball tournament series.

Graduate guard Paul Desiderio managed the dagger jump with 6.6 seconds to score the final score, and the Fighting Maroons forced Adamson goalkeeper Jerom Lastimosa to enter a solid, missing pointer trio to finally seal l & # 39; case.

This thrilling triumph has allowed the company to participate in the finals for the first time since 1986. It's also the last time the Fighting Maroons have won the UAAP championship.

They will play against defending champion Ateneo de Manila University in the top-of-3 final; The top-ranked Blue Eagles advanced after moving Sunday to the Far Eastern University.

It was a really heartbreaking defeat for the Soaring Falcons, who took advantage twice as fast after finishing 10-4 in the playoff round. But they dropped the first game last Saturday, 73-71, against a winner of Bright Akhuetie, then lost a six-point advantage in overtime in the game to make or die.

The first game of the final will be held Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

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