By NIKOLE JAVIER
Defending champion University of the Philippines survived a late scare from De La Salle, 72-69, to kick off its men’s basketball title retention bid in the UAAP Season 85 Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Evan Nelle drained a much-needed triple for the Green Archers with 6.6 ticks left, 69-70, before Carl Tamayo was sent to the line and sank two free throws of his own to extend the lead for the Fighting Maroons and take home the win.
Tamayo tallied 18 points, 19 rebounds and two steals while Terrence Fortea added 15 points and nine assists.
La Salle looked primed but struggled to make baskets in the final frame and eventually gave the lead to UP courtesy of Fortea’s triple that helped his team retake the lead, 62-59.
“We started ‘yong game medyo ‘yong offense namin was really (off). I just felt ‘yong defense namin especially nu’ng third quarter mas nag-pick up. It became more of a defensive game. It created shots for the team, it created more easy baskets. Malaking bagay ‘yong depensa ng team,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Tamayo, who went 7-of-15 from the field, took on the lead role for the Fighting Maroons after a rousing rookie season.
“Siguro nag-show sa game na marami kaming kailangan i-prove, kailangan mabago namin maging consistent kami. And I think marami kami natutunan sa game madala namin (sa mga susunod). Simula pa lang ng season eh, so ‘yong mga natutunan namin ngayon madadala namin hanggang matapos ‘yong liga,” said Tamayo.
Deschon Winston was the lone bright spot for La Salle with 27 points including two assists and three steals while Evan Nelle added nine points.
UP will face Adamson on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
The Scores:
UP 72 -- Tamayo 18, Fortea 15, Diouf 9, Spencer 8, Lucero 7, Gonzales 7, Alarcon 5, Ramos 3, Abadiano 0, Galinato 0, Torculas 0, Eusebio 0, Lina 0, Calimag 0.
LA SALLE 69 -- Winston 27, Nelle 9, M. Phillips 8, Nonoy 8, Quiambao 5, Austria 4, Manuel 4, Nwankwo 2, Macalalag 2, B. Phillips 0.
Quarters: 16-17, 34-42, 50-54, 72-69.