University of the Philippines needed a huge second half to fend off skidding University of Santo Tomas, 78-60, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
The Fighting Maroons improved to 11-2 to secure at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
With the Growling Tigers down by just three midway through the third quarter, JD Cagulangan and Cyril Gonzales teamed up to push UP ahead by 10 entering the final frame, 59-49.
Cagulangan, Carl Tamayo, RC Calimag, and Gonzales then started the fourth with 11 straight points on a deuce and three straight triples, respectively, to put the game away with 7:33 left, 70-49.
“Si Coach Gold [Monteverde] rarely talks sa pregame yung mga standings really because our season has been built on growth ng team, just building every game but at the same time realizing yung importance ng larong ito na twice-to-beat obviously malaking advantage yun,” said Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
Tamayo led UP with 19 points and nine rebounds while Gonzales chipped in 14 points of his own.
Malick Diouf had a complete game of 10 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block for the Fighting Maroons, who used all 15 players.
Nic Cabañero still paced UST with 14 points and seven rebounds while Adama Faye had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Growling Tigers absorbed their 11th straight loss to sink to 1-11.
Up next for UP is its rival Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, 6:30 pm, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST meanwhile will face Far Eastern University at 1 pm before closing its campaign on Wednesday against De La Salle University.
Up next for UP is its rival Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, 6:30 pm, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST meanwhile will face Far Eastern University at 1 pm before closing its campaign on Wednesday against De La Salle University.
The Scores:
UP 78 — Tamayo 19, Gonzales 14, Diouf 10, Cagulangan 8, Lucero 6, Abadiano 4, Galinato 4, Spencer 3, Ramos 3, Calimag 3, Alarcon 2, Torculas 2, Lina 0, Eusebio 0, Andrews 0.
UST 60 — Cabañero 14, Faye 12, Calimag 7, Pangilinan 6, Manalang 6, Laure 4, Mantua 4, Manaytay 3, Magdangal 2, Garing 2, Herrera 0, Escobido 0, Gesalem 0.
Quarterscores: 15-16, 37-34, 59-49, 78-60.
