University of the Philippines survived University of the East's late rally, 81-66, for its third straight win in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Fighting Maroons cruised to a 17-point advantage in the first quarter, before stretching the advantage to as high as 30 points in the third, 65-35.
The Red Warriors though opened the fourth period on a 17-2 blast, led by Kyle Paranada's hot shooting from deep, to chop their deficit to just 11 with 5:42 left, 62-73.
But UP clamped down on defense down the stretch while Malick Diouf and Zav Lucero drained the daggers.
"Kung titignan mo yung first game, we moved the ball better today," said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde. "As a team, nag-i-improve kami and we just have to be consistent."
The Maroons picked up its third win in four outings for solo third, while the Red Warriors stayed winless in four games.
Lucero tallied 14 points, including 8-of-9 from the line, to go with six rebounds, while Ricci Rivero had 14 points as well with three steals.
CJ Cansino led the blazing start for UP with 10 points, all scored in the first frame, while Malick Diouf got seven points, six rebounds, six blocks, and three assists.
Clint Escamis paced the Warriors with 16 points and six steals, while Paranada got 13 points on 14 shots.
UP will try to make it four consecutive wins on Tuesday against Adamson University at 1 pm. UE will face struggling Far Eastern University at 4 pm.
The Scores:
UP 81 - Lucero 14, Rivero 14, Cansino 10, Tamayo 8, Diouf 7, Spencer 7, Calimag 6, Cagulangan 4, Abadiano 2, Webb 2, Eusebio 2, Lina 2, Catapusan 2, Fortea 1, Alarcon 0.
UE 66 - Escamis 16, Paranada K. 13, Pagsanjan 12, Catacutan 5, Lorenzana 5, Pascual 5, Guevarra 4, Tulabut 2, Sawat 2, Beltran 1, Cruz P. 1, Abatayo 0, Paranada N. 0, Cruz J. 0, Antiporda 0.
Quarterscores: 31-14, 50-32, 71-45, 81-66.
Dennis Lachica, Sportsmanila Photojournalist