University of the Philippines grabbed its seventh-straight win, fending off National University, 84-76, to open the second round of the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament, Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
A three-pointer by John Lloyd Clemente at the 6:31 mark of the fourth quarter pulled his Bulldogs back within two, 66-68.
But the Fighting Maroons, courtesy of Ricci Rivero, Joel Cagulangan, Carl Tamayo, and Zavier Lucero, went on a 10-0 blast to keep NU at bay with 3:55 to go, 78-66.
“We started strong nung first quarter, siguro sa lahat ng games namin dito kami nakapag-start ng madiin talaga," Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde said. But sa third quarter, dumami ‘yung turnovers namin so we need to see what errors to improve pa rin. Definitely, coming from this win meron pa kaming ma-lelearn eh. Kailangan lang namin makita to move on."
Tamayo had a career game for UP with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals, while Lucero finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.
Rivero also poured in 16 points with six rebounds, two assists, and a steal while Joel Cagulangan tallied eight assists, seven points, three rebounds, and a steal.
The Fighting Maroons rose to 7-1 to strengthen their hold of the second seed while snapping NU's two-game winning streak to fall to 4-4, still at fourth.
Clemente led the Bulldogs with 18 points on 50 percent shooting from the field, while Reyland Torres got 15 points on 15 shots to go with four steals and four rebounds.
UP looks for eight in a row next Tuesday when it meets Far Eastern University at 10 am. NU aims to bounce back against Adamson University at 7 pm.
The Scores:
UP 84 -- Tamayo 21, Rivero 16, Lucero 16, Cagulangan 7, Diouf 7, Alarcon 5, Webb 5, Fortea 4, Abadiano 3, Spencer 0, Catapusan 0.
NU 76 -- Clemente 18, Torres 15, Ildefonso 11, Malonzo 9, Minerva 8, Felicilda 5, Gaye 4, Joson 2, Figueroa 2, Manansala 2, Tibayan 0, Enriquez 0, Mahinay 0.
Quarterscores: 26-14, 42-35, 62-58, 84-76. (Dennis Lachica, Sportsmanila Photojournalist)