University of the Philippines survived Adamson's late game scare to eke out a 73-71 win in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Tuesday, April 5.
Zavier Lucero and Malick Diouf pulled off big plays down the stretch before Ricci Rivero sealed the deal with a corner three as the Fighting Maroons improved to a 4-1 record.
Carl Tamayo added 11 points and five rebounds while Rivero recovered from his early slump to finish with 10 points and three assists.
"A win is a win but you know we need to work on yung sa defense namin," said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde. "I think going over sa next game namin, we need to look on 'yong part sa laro namin, 'yong defense."
Jerom Lastimosa pumped life for the Soaring Falcons after hitting a jumper at the 2:06 mark to trail by four points only, 70-66.
Joel Cagulangan had a pivotal defensive stop which paved the way for Rivero to hit the three-pointer with 1:29 remaining.
Adamson's Didat Hanapi responded from beyond the arc and Joshua Yerro scored another basket to put the game within two, 73-71, with 31.4 ticks left.
The 23-year-old Rivero missed a corner triple in the ensuing play but Lastimosa's possible game-winning three went short as the Soaring Falcons fell to a 1-4 slate.
Lastimosa paced Adamson with 18 points, six rebounds, and three steals, Lenda Douanga chalked up 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Keith Zalvidar chipped in 14 points.
The Scores:
UP 73 - Lucero 20, Diouf 16, Tamayo 11, Rivero 10, Cansino 9, Cagulangan 3, Spencer 2, Abadiano 2, Fortea 0, Alarcon 0, Catapusan 0.
Adamson 71 - Lastimosa 18, Douanga 16, Zaldivar 14, Colonia 4, Magbuhos 4, Manzano 4, Hanapi 3, Sabandal 3, Jaymalin 3, Yerro 2, Barasi 0, Erolon 0.
Quarterscores: 13-22, 39-39, 55-53, 73-71.