MANILA — Veejay Pre unleashed a career-high 30 points to power the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons to a pulsating 103-101 double-overtime victory over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, propelling UP to solo leadership in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Pre delivered his finest collegiate scoring performance in a fiercely contested showdown that required two extra periods before the Fighting Maroons finally subdued the stubborn Growling Tigers.
The hard-earned victory lifted UP to a league-best 6-2 win-loss record, giving the Fighting Maroons sole possession of the top spot in the standings.
Chicco Briones provided valuable offensive support with 14 points, while Rey Remogat contributed 10 as UP survived one of its toughest battles of the season.
UST, however, refused to go down without a fight, leaning on a game-high 33-point explosion from Mark Llemit to keep the Growling Tigers within striking distance throughout the marathon encounter.
Nigerian center Collins Akowe reinforced UST’s offensive assault with 23 points, while Kirk Cañete chipped in 16.
Despite the combined 72-point output of Llemit, Akowe and Cañete, the Growling Tigers failed to complete the upset and slipped to an even 4-4 record.
The narrow escape strengthened UP’s hold on the tournament lead while underscoring the Fighting Maroons’ ability to withstand pressure in tightly contested games.
Meanwhile, the De La Salle University Green Archers overcame a squandered 13-point advantage before turning back the University of the East Red Warriors, 97-88, in overtime to return to the winning track.
After allowing UE to erase their early double-digit lead and force an extra period, the Green Archers regained control behind a decisive 9-2 scoring run spearheaded by Joaquin Tovera and Mason Amos.
The surge pushed La Salle ahead, 89-82, and shifted the momentum firmly in favor of the Green Archers.
UE mounted another challenge and trimmed the deficit to 91-86, but Mikey Cortez converted crucial free throws before Earl Abadam buried a three-pointer to help seal La Salle’s victory.
Amos led the Green Archers with 17 points as La Salle improved to 4-4, keeping itself in contention in the tightly contested standings.
Jan Macalalag supplied 14 points, Henry Agunnane finished with 13, Andrei Dungo added 12, and Tovera contributed 11 in La Salle’s balanced offensive effort.
The Red Warriors, meanwhile, remained winless after eight outings despite another determined performance.
Toper Lagat spearheaded UE’s offense with 20 points, followed by Lance Sabroso with 18, Mo Tanedo with 16, and Cole Cruz-Dumont with 13.
The defeat extended UE’s losing streak to eight games, leaving the Red Warriors searching for their breakthrough victory in the tournament./PN
