JD Cagulangan stepped up down the stretch as University of the Philippines survived a late Far Eastern University fightback with an 86-78 victory to halt its two-game skid in UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Saturday, Nov. 16.

Cagulangan displayed veteran poise after hitting a booming triple with 27.6 seconds left in the game followed by two charities to give the Fighting Maroons enough breathing space from the Tamaraws en rout to their 10th win agains three defeats at second.

He finished with 12 points on top of seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.

The victory not only reaffirmed UP’s mastery over FEU following its 69-58 first-round victory in their first-round encounter last Sept. 22 but also eliminated the Tamaraws for the Final Four race.

FEU finished the season with a 5-9 mark to tie with National University.

Gerry Abadiano paced the Maroons throughout with 19 points, while Francis Lopez chipped in 12 points.

Quentin Millora-Brown took charge in the paint and hauled 13 rebounds apart from scoring seven points.

It was a nip-and-tuck affair for both teams during the first half, but things changed when UP shifted its gears after making it a sizable 62-46 lead anchored on Abadiano, Lopez and Millora-Brown.

Jorick Bautista, along with Royce Alforque and Rojan Montemayor connived and managed to cut the lead to just four, 76-72, for the Tamaraws with under four minutes to go, but lost their steam in the end game.

Bautista registered 16 points, Janrey Pasaol and Veejay Pre added 15 points apiece, and Mo Konateh had 11 points and 16 boards in a losing cause for FEU.

The Scores:
UP (86) - Abadiano 19, Cagulangan 12, Lopez 12, Torculas 11, Torres 7, Millora-Brown 7, Fortea 6, Felicilda 3, Alarcon 3, Bayla 2, Stevens 2, Belmonte 2, Briones 0, Ududo 0.
FEU (78) - Bautista 16, Pasaol 16, Pre 16, Konateh 11, Alforque 9, Montemayor 7, Daa 3, Ona 2, Bagunu 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16, 42-39, 67-62, 86-78.