UAAP: Carl Tamayo sparks UP breakaway vs Adamson

UP Fighting Maroons’ star Carl Tamayo. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Carl Tamayo sizzled in the third quarter as University of the Philippines shot down Adamson, 91-70, to reinforce its hold of the lead in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.

Unstoppable around the rim, Tamayo banged in nine of his 18 points in the pivotal third when the defending champion Fighting Maroons cut loose for good.

From a slim five-point halftime advantage, the Maroons quickly scored 11 straight points that the Falcons found no answer to seize control en route to their fifth consecutive win, UP’s eighth victory overall against a single defeat.

“It just happened that the ball fell into my hands. Credit to my teammates, they also found me at the right time, at the right place,’’ said Tamayo.

Malick Diouf put up a career-high 20 points on seven of 11 shooting on top of eight rebounds and five steals for the Maroons, who barely survived their first-round meeting with the Falcons in overtime.

“We worked well as a team and I’m glad we finished strong,’’ said Diouf.

Two more victories and the Maroons can assure themselves of a return trip to the Final Four where they defeated the La Salle Green Archers last season before winning the crown at the expense of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Adamson suffered a pair of casualties while chasing down the Maroons with Vince Magbuhos hurting his right knee and Jerom Lastimosa spraining his right ankle after accidentally landing on JD Cagulangan’s foot after a reverse layup.

“It wasn’t the start that we wanted. They scored 45 points in the first half. We have to work more on our defense as the season progresses,’’ said UP coach Goldwyn Monteverde.

Lastimosa finished with 19 points before he was carried to the bench while Cedrick Manzano added 10 points for the Falcons, who only had seven turnovers but couldn’t deflect UP’s firepower that included 40 points from players off the bench.

The Scores

UP 91 — Diouf 20, Tamayo 18, Lucero 14, Fortea 12, Alarcon 9, Cagulangan 8, Galinato 8, Spencer 1, Calimag 1, Gonzales 0, Abadiano 0, Ramos 0.

ADAMSON 70 — Lastimosa 19, Manzano 10, Sabandal 9, Douanga 8, V. Magbuhos 8, Yerro 7, Hanapi 5, Colonia 3, Barcelona 1, Flowers 0, Jaymalin 0, Torres 0, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0, W. Magbuhos 0.

Quarters: 28-25, 50-45, 69-57, 91-70.