UNIVERSITY of the Philippines had the last laugh yesterday against La Salle in a nip-and-tuck duel pitting two squads boosted by prized recruits and seen as worthy challengers to reigning three-time champion Ateneo.
With Fil-Am Zavier Lucero showing the way, the Fighting Maroons carved out a thrilling 61-59 decision for their fourth straight win and solo second in the 84th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Lucero laced his game-high 21 points with a basket that pegged a 61-59 game with 1:49 remaining in the payoff period, while also hauling down 14 rebounds.
La Salle had a chance to steal the victory, but Michael Phillips missed his shot on a drive at the buzzer as the Maroons completed their comeback from a seven-point fourth quarter deficit.
Carl Tamayo and CJ Cansino chipped in nine points each for UP, which scored an encore to its 73-71 squeaker over Adamson University three days ago and hiked its record to 5-1.
The Archers, coming off a 76-65 triumph over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, dropped to 4-2 for third.
In the second game, National University manhandled University of Santo Tomas 82-51 to get back on track.
Reyland Torres led the Bulldogs with 12 points, while Jake Figueroa added 11 markers, seven rebounds, and two swats.
Shaun Ildefonso also had 10 points as NU made up for its 64-74 setback to Ateneo last Tuesday and rose to 3-3 for solo fourth.
The loss was the Tigers’ second in a row that dropped them to 2-4 for sixth.
Maroons coach Goldwin Monteverde said his team struggled offensively but their defense in the final canto proved to be one of the keys in their win.
“I felt halos buong game, maybe first hanggang third quarter, we struggled offensively.
Good thing, especially in the fourth quarter, talagang nag-step up ang defense namin,” Monteverde said.
“I thought Carl (Tamayo) played really good defense against Baltazar in the fourth,” he added.
UP fell 32-35 at the half and 43-48 heading into the payoff period.
A Deschon Winston jumper gave La Salle a 52-45 lead at the 7:44 mark of the fourth before UP unleashed a telling 14-4 blitz capped by a Joel Cagulangan bucket that made it 59-59, 3:27 left.
Justine Baltazar paced the Archers with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Evan Nelle had 13.
“Good win for us pero siyempre we have to move forward. We have a game on Saturday.
There’s no time to celebrate,” Bulldogs tactician Jeff Napa said.
“At least after a loss against Ateneo, at least we bounced back with a statement win. At least dadalhin namin ito coming to UE.”
Nic Cabañero carried the fight for UST with 11 points and Sherwin Concepcion 10.
