UAAP: UP storms back to beat UST for first win

UP’s Zavier Lucero against UST defenders. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Zavier Lucero, Joel Cagulangan and Ricci Rivero ignited University of the Philippines’ second half comeback to fend off University of Santo Tomas, 98-82, for its first victory in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Fighting Maroons overcame a 13-point deficit in the second quarter as Lucero scored 10 of his 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds and three steals to power the Maroons’ 36-point third quarter explosion, with Joel Cagulangan running the floor and showing a great defensive effort to build a 78-63 spread before heading into the final quarter.

Ricci Rivero also anchored UP’s fight back with 19 points, including the basket that gave his team the biggest lead 21 points, 88-67, with 6:51 remaining.

Carl Tamayo delivered 18 points and eight rebounds, while James Spencer chipped in 11 markers as UP improved to 1-1 bouncing back from an 81-90 defeat to Ateneo last Saturday.

CJ Cansino, a transferee from UST, had seven points, five rebounds and a steal against his former school, while Cagulangan finished with six points, nine assists, and five steals.

“UST really gave us a tough challenge in the first half, especially in the defensive end. In the first quarter they already had five three-pointers,” said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde. “Credit to the boys for adjusting in the second half. They played well, even defensively. They were active and intense in defending our opponents in the second half.”

The Growling Tigers remained winless in two games, failing to sustain their first half lead.

UST had a strong start, unleashing a 15-0 run in the first quarter for an 18-7 lead. Miguel Pangilinan built their biggest lead, 43-30, capping an 11-0 run midway in the second quarter before UP started to fight back.

Sherwin Concepcion led the Growling Tigers with 19 points, shooting 6-of-13 from deep, on top of five rebounds, two steals and a block. Joshua Fontanilla had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Nic Cabanero and Pangilinan added 16 and 13 markers, respectively.

UP battles National University (1-1) on Thursday at 4 pm, while UST andUniversity of the East fight for first win at 7 pm.

The Scores

UP 98 — Rivero 19, Lucero 18, Tamayo 18, Spencer 11, Cansino 7, Cagulangan 6, Diouf 6, Catapusan 6, Alarcon 5, Abadiano 2, Eusebio 0, Lina 0, Ramos 0, Calimag 0.
UST 82 — Concepcion 19, Fontanilla 17, Cabanero 16, M. Pangilinan 13, Manalang 7, Santos 6, Manaytay 4, Ando 0, Gomez de Liano 0, Garing 0, R. Pangilinan 0, Mantua 0, Samudio 0, Yongco 0, Herrera 0.
Quarters: 16-25, 42-48, 78-63, 98-82.