
By NIKOLE JAVIER
Defending champion University of the Philippines cruised past Far Eastern University with a 73-59 win in the second round of the men’s basketball tournament Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
James Spencer’s career-high 19 points on a 4-of-7 shooting from the outside and Malick Diouf’s huge defensive outing of 20 rebounds and three blocks on top of 11 markers proved enough for the Fighting Maroons to take their 10th win against a lone loss.
Carl Tamayo contributed 10 points on a 3-of-5 shooting from inside.
The Tamaraws inched closer to the Fighting Maroons in the opening quarter, 18-20, off a Patrick Sleat three-pointer. However, it was the first and only time they managed to come within striking distance from the reigning champions.
Building their biggest advantage of the match of 21 points in the fourth period courtesy of Spencer and JD Cagulangan’s back-to-back triples for UP, 71-50, FEU had nothing else working until the final buzzer.
The Tamaraws, who sank deeper with a 4-7 win-loss tally, had Kyle Bautista as the lone bright spot and finished with 12 points while Cholo Anonuevo added 10.
The Scores:
UP 73 -- Spencer 19, Diouf 11, Tamayo 10, Abadiano 9, Lucero 8, Cagulangan 6, Alarcon 6, Galinato 3, Ramos 1, Gonzales 0, Calimag 0, Lina 0, Eusebio 0, Torculas 0, Andrews 0.
FEU 59 -- Bautista 12, Anonuevo 10, Tchuente 9, Gonzales 9, Torres 7, Sleat 7, Alforque 3, Sajonia 2, Sandagon 0, Tempra 0, Ona 0, Bagunu 0.
Quarters: 22-18, 43-32, 58-42, 73-59.