Adamson and National University Nazareth School dispute the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 high school boys basketball crown today at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Bullpups pulled off a come-from-behind 67-64 victory over the Baby Falcons, who are eyeing to end a 31-year championship wait, last Wednesday after tying their best-of-three finals series at 1-1.
This marks the first time that the finals series has gone to a decider since 2018 when Kai Sotto-led Ateneo defeated NUNS.
The Baby Falcons won the series opener, 77-71.
Although Tebol Garcia, one of the Mythical Team members, rebounded from a three-point outing in Game 1 by scoring 13 points the last time out, Adamson coach Mike Fermin hopes that everyone will step up in the do-or-die.
“He (Garcia) made up after a bad game last time. He had a bad game but he was able to recover,” Fermin said.
The Baby Falcons led by as many as 15 points in the second half, but the Bullpups found their rhythm late in the game to live another day.
NUNS coach Kevin de Castro knows that his team will leave everything on the floor to regain the crown it won in 2020.
“Game 3 was a dogfight so to speak. It was a winner-take-all. The physicality was there. Their advantage is their championship experience. They already have it while we have none. We will play our hearts out in Game 3,” De Castro said.
Newly-minted season Most Valuable Player Collins Akowe has been the most consistent player for the Bullpups, as the Nigerian center averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds in the series.
