University of the Philippines stretched its winning run to six games after outlasting Far Eastern University, 83-76, to close the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament first round, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Trailing by six after a Zavier Lucero trey, Xyrus Torres and Ljay Gonzales connected on a triple and a free throw, respectively, to pull the Tamaraws within two with 1:24 to go, 74-76.
But Carl Tamayo and Joel Cagulangan answered with back-to-back baskets to build a brand new six-point lead for the Fighting Maroons with 45.1 seconds left, 80-74.
Gonzales made a layup on the other end but Ricci Rivero retaliated with a dagger three-point play to ice the win with 14.4 ticks on the clock.
"I guess yung tempo nung first half hindi favorable sa amin so we tried to force them to play an up-tempo game, which opened up things for us in transition," said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde. "Yung defense, kahit papano, nung second half mas maganda naman."
After its first game loss to Ateneo, UP won its next six to raise its record to 6-1 for solo second. FEU slipped to fifth with a 3-4 record.
Lucero, who had 16 points in the third, finish with 27 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, and a block for the Fighting Maroons.
Tamayo chipped in 12 points, four rebounds, and two blocks, while Rivero added 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Gonzales led FEU with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Emmanuel Ojuola had another double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds.
The Scores:
UP 83 -- Lucero 27, Tamayo 12, Rivero 10, Cansino 7, Diouf 7, Fortea 6, Alarcon 5, Cagulangan 4, Abadiano 3, Spencer 2, Lina 0, Catapusan 0.
FEU 76 -- Gonzales 20, Ojuola 17, Torres 17, Alforque 9, Abarrientos 8, Sandagon 3, Tempra 2, Sleat 0, Sajonia 0, Bienes 0, Celzo 0.
Quarterscores: 14-18, 31-32, 58-50, 83-76. (Dennis Lachica, Sportsmanila Photojournalist)