MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons bucked free throw woes in the endgame to beat Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 73-70, in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With both teams knotted at 70 apiece, Filipino-foreigner reinforcement Zavier Lucero surged the Fighting Maroons ahead, 72-70, with over a minute left.
UP had opportunities to widen the lead but Carl Tamayo and import Maodo Malick Diouf missed two free throws each before Bacolodnon Harold Alarcon created a separation with a split freebie.
The Tamaraws had chances to send the match into overtime. However, rookie guard Rhon Jay Abarrientos missed both of his three-point attempts down the stretch.
Ricci Rivero spearheaded the offense with 19 points, to go with five rebounds and two assists as the Fighting Maroons notched its eighth straight win for an 8-1 slate.
Tamayo added 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, while transferee Crispin John Cansino had 12 points and Alarcon contributed eight points for UP.
“Yung defense namin, especially nung third quarter doon pumick-up so doon namin nakuha ang confidence then tuloy-tuloy na hanggang dulo,” Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde said.
Emman Ojuola tallied double-double 16 points and 14 rebounds to go with three steals and two blocks while Abarrientos and Ljay Gonzales added 13 each as the Tamaraws slid to 3-6.
De La Salle University Green Archers (6-3) leaned on the exploits of Deschon Winston as they walloped University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (3-6), 112-83.
The Filipino-American reinforcement had his best game for the Green Archers with 33 points, mostly in the third quarter where the DLSU pulled away from the Tigers for good.
BOX SCORE:
UP 73 – Rivero 19, Tamayo 14, Cansino 12, Alarcon 8, Lucero 7, Diouf 7, Cagulangan 3, Fortea 3, Webb 0, Abadiano 0, Spencer 0, Calimag 0, Catapusan 0.
FEU 70 – Ojuola 16, Abarrientos 13, Gonzales 13, Torres 9, Sandagon 6, Tempra 5, Alforque 3, Bienes 3, Li 2, Coquia 0, Sajonia 0.
Quarterscores: 16-17, 34-37, 57-54, 73-70./PN
