Joel Cagulangan ignited the spark and Zavier Lucero provided the finish as University of the Philippines prevailed 61-59 in a classic match versus De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Thursday, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The result allows UP to continue its mastery over La Salle as this is the Fighting Maroons’ fifth straight win over the Green Archers since Season 81. Lucero led UP with 21 points, 11 of which came in the payoff period, alongside 14 rebounds.
On the other hand, Cagulangan had five points, all scored in the fourth quarter, with five rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.
“I felt halos buong game, maybe first hanggang third quarter, we struggled offensively,” said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde. “Good thing, especially in the fourth quarter, talagang nag step up ang defense namin. I thought Carl (Tamayo) played really good defense against (Justine) Baltazar in the fourth.”
La Salle led as much as 45-52 off a Deschon Winston jumper with 7:44 to go. However, a 14-4 run capped off by a Cagulangan basket gave UP control of the game at 59-56. With the game tied at 59-all off a Deschon Winston three with 2:40 remaining in the contest, Zav Lucero provided the Fighting Maroons with a 61-59 tight cushion at the 1:47 mark.
Evan Nelle then failed to sink a jumper in the next play but La Salle got a reprieve courtesy of a turnover from UP. La Salle had possession with 15.1 seconds to go and fouls from CJ Cansino, Carl Tamayo, and James Spencer cut the time to 3.8 ticks. UP though managed to hold on for the win as the Green Archers went blank in their final play.
Tamayo contributed nine points and 11 rebounds to the Fighting Maroons’ cause while Cansino provided nine points as well. UP won the battle of the boards with 56 rebounds to La Salle’s 43. The Fighting Maroons turned the ball over 23 times vis a vis the Green Archers’ 19.
“(La Salle) forced some turnovers sa amin. The good thing is we responded well naman after that. Nag-bounce back yung team. Hindi nawalan ng loob and we continued executing offensively, which you know napaganda para sa amin,” added Monteverde.
Justine Baltazar led La Salle with 13 points and 10 rebounds followed by Evan Nelle’s 13 points. Michael Phillips had nine points and eight rebounds while Mark Nonoy had nine points.
Both schools resume their campaigns on Saturday at the SM MOA Arena. La Salle (4-2) takes on Adamson University at 1:00 PM while UP (5-1) goes up against Far Eastern University at 7:00 PM.
The Scores:
UP 61 — Lucero 21, Tamayo 9, Cansino 9, Spencer 7, Diouf 7, Cagulangan 5, Fortea 3, Rivero 0, Alarcon 0, Abadiano 0.
LA SALLE 59 — Baltazar 13, Nelle 13, M. Phillips 9, Nonoy 9, Winston 7, Lojera 3, Galman 3, Nwankwo 2, Austria 0, B. Phillips 0, Cuajao 0.
Quarterscores: 17-17, 32-35, 43-48, 61-59.
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