Andy Gemao made sure to put on a show at the University of the Philippines’ Varsity Training Center.
The 6-foot-2 guard, who was the NCAA Season 98 Finals MVP, took control in the clutch, steering University of the Philippines to an 81–80, come-from-behind win over College of Saint Benilde to move to 2–0 in the 2026 Asiabasket National Student-Athletes Championship on Saturday.
Down 79–80 with 3.7 seconds remaining, Gemao calmly sank two clutch free throws to give the Fighting Maroons their first — and only — lead of the game.
Gemao, who has yet to formally commit to UP, finished with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, alongside five rebounds and five assists.
The Blazers threatened to spoil Gemao’s VTC debut, leading by as many as 18 points before UP turned things around in the final frame.
A basket by Irele Galas and a three-pointer from Jhomel Ancheta pushed Benilde ahead, 80–71, with 5:23 remaining.
But Gani Stevens sparked UP’s late surge, while a Gemao free throw and a Noy Remogat triple cut the deficit to three with 2:57 left.
With Stevens and Jacob Bayla anchoring the defense, Gemao took over down the stretch.
He drilled a pull-up jumper with 1:16 remaining to trim the lead to one before sealing the win at the line with his clutch free throws.
Matt Jucom’s last-second three-point attempt fell short as time expired.
In total, Gemao accounted for 10 of UP’s 15 fourth-quarter points.
Stevens finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Remogat added 13 points for the Fighting Maroons.
Allen Liwag was held to just eight points and six rebounds.
UP will wrap up its group phase campaign against Lyceum on Sunday at the same Diliman venue.
