MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons rode on a fiery start to take down Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 73-59, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball on Thursday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
James Spencer top-scored with a career-high 19 points, with 15 coming in the first two quarters, as the defending champions Fighting Maroons stayed on top with 10-1 win-loss slate.
Maodo Malick Diouf chipped in 11 points, 20 rebounds, and three assists while Carl Tamayo recovered from his injury as he contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, and two assists for UP.
The Fighting Maroons were blazing on the offensive end early in the game as JD Cagulangan drilled a three-pointer to give his squad a 16-1 cushion in the 4:55 mark of the first quarter.
The Fighting Maroons then saw its lead extend to as much as 71-50 off a three-pointer by Spencer with 1:52 remaining in the contest before relaxing its defense to allow the Tamaraws to end the match on a 9-2 run.
Jorick Bautista top-scored with 12 points, Cholo Anonuevo followed his lead with 10 points and four rebounds, while LJ Gonzales had nine points, five assists, five rebounds, and two steals for the Tamaraws (4-7).
Meanwhile, National University Bulldogs (8-3) fended off the University of the East Red Warriors’ (4-7) late rally for a 70-61 victory and secured at least a playoff for a Final Four spot.
The Red Warriors came within two after a Luis Villegas’ triple at the 3:14 mark of the payoff period, but the Bulldogs answered back with seven straight points capped by Steve Nash Enriquez’s three-pointer with 1:31 to go.
PJ Palacielo was instrumental to the Bulldogs’ response as he scored eight of his career-high 10 points in the last 4:06 of the match. He shot a perfect 5-of-5 from the field in just 8:14 on the floor.
Also, Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (7-3) moved closer to a sure semifinals seat following a 72-55 rout of University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (1-9). Bryan Andrade top-scored with 15 points, while Rence Padrigao added 10 markers.
BOX SCORE:
UP 73 – Spencer 19, Diouf 11, Tamayo 10, Abadiano 9, Lucero 8, Cagulangan 6, Alarcon 6, Galinato 3, Ramos 1, Calimag 0, Torculas 0, Eusebio 0, Lina 0, Gonzales 0, Andrews 0.
FEU 59 – Bautista 12, Anonuevo 10, Gonzales 9, Tchuente 9, Sleat 7, Torres 7, Alforque 3, Sajonia 2, Tempra 0, Sandagon 0, Ona 0, Bagunu 0.
Quarterscores: 22-18, 43-32, 58-42, 73-59./PN
