UAAP: UP pulls away to beat UST, closes in on twice-to-beat bonus

UP Fighting Maroons’ Carl Tamayo. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines needed a fiery fourth-quarter surge before taking down the also-ran University of Santo Tomas, 78-60, to secure at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Fighting Maroons bucked a slow start in the first half, unleashing a 15-5 run in the third quarter capped by back-to-back baskets by Cyril Gonzales to build a 13-point  52-39 lead before the Growling Tigers kept them within 10 to end the quarter.

The defending champion unloaded three triples from Carl Tamayo, RC Calimag, and Gonzales to ignite a 15-2 run to tally their biggest lead of 23 points, 74-51, and put away the match with 6:13 to play.

Tamayo posted 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds in just 17 minutes of play to put UP on the verge of getting a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four with an improved 11-2 record.

Gonzales chipped in 14 points coming off the bench, while Malick Diouf added 10 points, 14 boards, six assists, two steals, and a block as the Fighting Maroons try to seal the No.1 seed in their last elimination game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“That was one of the goals. Coming into this game, one of the things that Coach Gold (pointed out)… Coach Gold rarely talks about pre-games and standings. Because our season has been built on — in terms of preaching — has been built on the growth of the team. Just building every game,” said UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon, speaking for Goldwin Monteverde. “

“Twice to beat, obviously, is a huge advantage… But there’s still a lot to improve on. We’re gonna go back and watch this game, and prepare our best coming into the next game this Saturday.”

The Fighting Maroons scored 22 points off UST’s 23 turnovers as they had 14 steals to bounce back from an 82-80 loss to La Salle last Sunday.

The also-ran UST absorbed its 11th straight loss, dropping to 1-11 with Nic Cabanero leading the way with 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Adama Faye had 12 points and 11 boards.

The Scores:

UP 78 — Tamayo 19, Gonzales 14, Diouf 10, Cagulangan 8, Lucero 6, Abadiano 4, Galinato 4, Spencer 3, Ramos 3, Calimag 3, Alarcon 2, Torculas 2, Lina 0, Eusebio 0, Andrews 0.

UST 60 — Cabanero 14, Faye 12, Calimag 7, Pangilinan 6, Manalang 6, Laure 4, Mantua 4, Manaytay 3, Magdangal 2, Garing 2, Herrera 0, Escobido 0, Gesalem 0.

Quarters: 15-16, 37-34, 59-49, 78-60.