MANILA – De La Salle University Green Archers leaned on a strong finishing kick to beat University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 82-80, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With the score tied at 69-all after a triple by UP’s James Spencer, DLSU went on a 10-0 scoring blast behind Michael Phillips, Negrense Mark Nonoy, Earl Abadam, and Kevin Quiambao to build a 79-69 lead.
The Fighting Maroons made its last push on a three-point play by Joel Cagulangan and a triple by Zavier Lucero to cut the deficit to 78-80 but free throws by Quiambao sealed the win for the Green Archers.
Quiambao scored 13 of his 18 points in the fourth to go with nine rebounds, while Nonoy and Cyrus Austria had 15 and 10 markers, respectively. The Green Archers notched its second straight win for a 5-6 record.
“I must give it to the guys. I’m proud of the way they played today. We got down by 12 but we regrouped and we got huge fourth quarter to win it,” said Green Archers coach Derrick Pumaren.
Lucero top-scored with 15 points, Carl Tamayo added 14 markers and seven rebounds, while Spencer and Maodo Malick Diouf had 12 and 11, respectively, as the Fighting Maroons saw their seven-game winning run snapped to drop to 10-2.
Meanwhile, Jerom Lastimosa boosted the Adamson University Falcons with his brief appearance as they scored a 74-64 victory over University of the East Red Warriors. Adamson is tied with DLSU at fourth with 5-6, while UE dropped to 4-8.
Lastimosa first entered the court with 30.4 seconds left in the second period where he assisted Rey Allen Torres for a trey that give Adamson a 42-23 lead. He also played in the last 19 seconds of the game, netting two free throws to seal Adamson’s win.
The graduating Lastimosa, who did not play in their past two games due to a foot injury, finished the match with two points as the Falcons snagged the solo fourth place with the win.
Lenda Douanga and Hanapi tallied 13 points apiece for the Soaring Falcons, Cedrick Manzano made a double-double of 11 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, while Joem Sabandal had 10 points.
BOX SCORE:
DLSU 82 — Quiambao 18, Nonoy 15, Austria 10, Nelle 9, M. Phillips 8, Abadam 8, B. Phillips 5, Nwankwo 5, Macalalag 4, Estacio 0, Cortez 0.
UP 80 — Lucero 15, Tamayo 14, Spencer 12, Diouf 11, Cagulangan 8, Alarcon 8, Gonzales 4, Galinato 4, Calimag 4, Abadiano 0, Ramos 0.
Quarterscores: 14-18, 35-41, 59-63, 82-80./PN
