By NIKOLE JAVIER
Defending champion University of the Philippines regained consciousness in the fourth quarter and went berserk in overtime to trounce Adamson, 87-78, in the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball tournament Wednesday, Oct. 5, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Fighting Maroons couldn’t close out the regulation as James Spencer’s ill-timed foul with a fraction of a second left on JM Sabandal at the three-point line gave the Falcons the chance to force an extension.
But the reigning titlists wouldn't be denied in the extra period, as Terrence Fortea’s back-to-back triple enabled UP to get an 82-74 cushion before Spencer vindicated himself with a three-pointer of his own to assure his team the second win of the season.
“We started off flat same sa last game namin offensively which should’ve been better. We had better ball movement the second half,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Zavier Lucero scored 15 points, highlighted by three triples and four assists, while Malick Diouf posted a double-double performance of 13 markers and 12 rebounds.
Fortea and Carl Tamayo added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Jerom Lastimosa’s career-high 25 points including six assists and six rebounds went for naught as Adamson, despite leading in the middle quarters, fell to a 0-2 record.
The Scores:
UP 87 -- Lucero 15, Diouf 13, Fortea 12, Tamayo 11, Alarcon 9, Gonzales 9, Spencer 8, Galinato 3, Ramos 3, Torculas 2, Calimag 2, Abadiano 0.
ADAMSON 78 -- Lastimosa 25, Douanga 11, V. Magbuhos 10, Sabandal 10, Hanapi 8, Yerro 4, Jaymalin 3, Manzano 2, Barasi 2, W. Magbuhos 2, Flowers 1, Colonia 0, Torres 0, Barcelona 0.
Quarters: 19-17, 31-47, 58-62, 74-74, 87-78.