INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines -- Jay Agbayani and Martin Reyes teamed up for the final push as the University of the Philippines snapped a five-game skid with a 76-68 victory over Adamson in the 71st UAAP men's basketball competition Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Reyes opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back triples to put the Maroons back in control after blowing a 14-point advantage, 47-33, in the third period.

Agbayani top-scored with 20 markers, including a three-point play that lifted the Maroons, 67-60, with 4:13 minutes left.

"The players came out and played with a lot of poise, especially when we were up by 14 points and then [Adamson] made a really, really big run," said UP mentor Aboy Castro.

Both the Maroons and the Falcons wrapped up their first-round campaigns with 2-5 records.

Led by Janus Lozada and Jerick Cañada, the Falcons forged a deadlock at 51 late in the third quarter following a 20-4 rally that wiped out a 47-33 deficit.

Woody Co chipped in 15 points and nine rebounds, while Reyes also finished with 15.

The scores:

UP 76 -- Agbayani 20, Co 15, Reyes 15, Lopez 11, Astorga 8, Sorongon 4, Marfori 2, Braganza 1, Sison 0, De Asis 0, Hipolito 0.

ADAMSON 68 -- Lozada 16, Cañada 16, Colina 15, Galinato 10, Nuyles 3, Gonzalgo 3, Yambot 2, Santos 2, Agustin 1, Olalia 0, Margallo 0, Gorospe 0.

Quarters: 20-20, 43-33, 55-55, 76-68