University of the Philippines bucked a slow start to edge National University, 80-70, and notch its second straight win in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Thursday, March 31.
Ricci Rivero, one of the key cogs for the Fighting Maroons down the stretch, led all scorers with 19 points to go with four assists while Carl Tamayo posted 13 markers and eight rebounds.
UP got away with an 11-point lead, 74-63, after a Zavier Lucero layup and a corner triple from CJ Cansino off a Rivero dish with 3:10 left in the payoff period.
The match was marred by rugged plays, with Janjan Felicilda of NU called for an unsportsmanlike foul for trying to stop Rivero's coast-to-coast attack at the 2:39 mark.
The 6-foot-1 UP swingman, for his part, was also handed a technical foul for unsportsmanlike behavior after bumping the rookie Bulldog guard chest-to-chest.
John Galinato drained a free throw while Rivero responded with a pair of his own.
Joel Cagulangan sank back-to-back free throws in the ensuing play en route to a 78-67 lead to ice the game.
"Hindi talaga dapat tayo ma-satisfy," said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde. "There's a lot of things to improve pa rin. We have this chance to learn while winning the game."
Cagulangan delivered on both ends anew after chalking up nine points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Terrence Fortea and Cansino had eight points apiece for the Fighting Maroons.
Michael Malonzo paced the Bulldogs with 11 points and five rebounds while Reyland Torres added 10 markers and five rebounds as well.
UP will next face University of the East Saturday, April 2 at their 1 p.m. encounter while NU will clash with Far Eastern University in the opener at 10 a.m.
The Scores:
UP 80 -- Rivero 19, Tamayo 13, Cagulangan 9, Fortea 8, Cansino 8, Spencer 6, Lucero 5, Diouf 4, Alarcon 4, Catapusan 2, Abadiano 2, Ramos 0, Lina 0.
NU 70 -- Malonzo 11, Torres 10, Clemente 9, Mahinay 9, Felicilda 8, Ildefonso 7, Enriquez 4, Galinato 4, Tibayan 4, Joson 2, Manansala 2, Figueroa 0, Minerva 0, Yu 0.
Quarters: 20-25, 42-39, 55-53, 80-70.