University of the Philippines came alive in the fourth period to dispose of National University, 80-70, in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament, Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ahead by just two points heading into the payoff quarter, the Fighting Maroons unleashed a huge 11-0 run to build some cushion, 66-53, with 6:55 to go.
But the Bulldogs did not go away easily, answering with a quick 10-3 blitz to slash their deficit back to single- digits with 4:21 left, 63-69.
UP though did just enough to take care of its lead with timely baskets from Zav Lucero, CJ Cansino, Joel Cagulangan, and Ricci Rivero.
"Hindi talaga dapat tayo ma-satisfy," said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde. "There's a lot of things to improve pa rin. We have this chance to learn while winning the game."
Rivero tallied 19 points, four assists, and two steals for the Maroons, while Carl Tamayo chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds.
Cagulangan listed another solid outing with nine points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Michael Malonzo led NU with 11 points while Reyland Torres got 10 points, five rebounds, and four steals.
The Maroons improved to 2-1 while the Bulldogs absorbed their second straight loss and sunk to 1-2.
UP aims for three in a row on Saturday when it meets University of the East on Satrday at 1 pm, while NU looks to return to the win column when it faces Far Eastern University in the morning.
The Scores:
UP 80 - Rivero 19, Tamayo 13, Cagulangan 9, Fortea 8, Cansino 8, Spencer 6, Lucero 5, Diouf 4, Alarcon 4, Catapusan 2, Abadiano 2, Ramos 0, Lina 0.
NU 70 - Malonzo 11, Torres 10, Clemente 9, Mahinay 9, Felicilda 8, Ildefonso 7, Enriquez 4, Galinato 4, Tibayan 4, Joson 2, Manansala 2, Figueroa 0, Minerva 0, Yu 0.
Quarterscores: 20-25, 42-39, 55-53, 80-70.
(Dennis Lachica, Sportsmanila Photojournalist)