UP forward Carl Tamayo dunks the ball against UE in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines encountered the resistance it hardly anticipated from University of the East before pulling off an 84-77 victory for a share of the lead in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
Zavier Lucero steadied the Fighting Maroons with a three-point play that gave them a 10-point cushion with 42.8 seconds remaining and sealed their fifth win in six games by sinking their free throws along the way.
Carl Tamayo scored 13 points before twisting his right ankle in the dying seconds while playmaker Terrence Fortea and defensive ace Gerry Abadiano made good account of themselves as the Maroons fended off UE’s late charge.
“We still haven’t reached our full potential and we’re really working hard for that,” said UP coach Goldwyn Monteverde after tying the National University Bulldogs at the top.
Putting UP on their toes throughout, the Warriors gave the defending champions several scary moments, the last one on Calvin Payawal’s back-to-back threes that somehow stitched the gap to just four.
But the Warriors shot themselves in the foot when brothers Kyle and Nic Paranada missed their free throws when UE needed them most.
“We fell short, but at least the effort was there. I think to beat a good team, a champion team, we have to play our best game,” said UE coach Jack Santiago.
“We cannot play inconsistent and show immaturity against the No. 1 team. It’s a learning experience for us,” added Santiago.
Payawal swished five threes to finish with a career-high 21 points while Nic Paranada added 20 for the Warriors, who dropped their third in six games following impressive victories of La Salle and University of Santo Tomas.
The Scores:
UP 84 — Tamayo 13, Fortea 13, Abadiano 13, Diouf 8, Spencer 7, Lucero 7, Gonzales 7, Calimag 5, Galinato 4, Ramos 3, Alarcon 2, Lina 2, Torculas 0.
UE 77 — Payawal 21, N. Paranada 20, Villegas 10, Pagsanjan 9, K. Paranada 9, Stevens 3, Antiporda 3, Sawat 2, Beltran 0, Alcantara 0, Remogat 0.
Quarters: 18-13, 38-41, 59-56, 84-77.