University of the Philippines notched its fourth-straight win after fending off Adamson University, 73-71, in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament, Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Trailing by seven after a Ricci Rivero triple, Soaring Falcons Didat Hanapi and Joshua Yerro connived for five straight points via a trey and a layup to inch within two with 31.4 ticks left, 71-73.
In the ensuing play, Rivero missed his attempt from deep setting up for a possible tying or winning shot but Jerom Lastimosa's straight-away three from the top of the key went short to give UP the win.
The Fighting Maroons rose to 4-1, joining De La Salle University at second, while the Soaring Falcons dropped their third straight game and slid to 1-4 for seventh.
“A win is a win but you know we need to work on yung sa defense namin,” said first-year UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde. “I think going over sa next game namin, we need to look on yung part sa laro namin, yung defense.”
Zavier Lucero continued his stellar play for UP with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting to go with five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Malick Diouf played his best game in Maroons uniform with 16 points and 15 rebounds to go with three steals.
Lastimosa paced the Falcons with 18 points while Lenda Douanga had a double-double himself with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
UP will break its tie with La Salle on Thursday at 10 am. Adamson will try to break out of its funk against Far Eastern University at 7 pm.
The Scores:
UP 73 - Lucero 20, Diouf 16, Tamayo 11, Rivero 10, Cansino 9, Cagulangan 3, Spencer 2, Abadiano 2, Fortea 0, Alarcon 0, Catapusan 0.
Adamson 71 - Lastimosa 18, Douanga 16, Zaldivar 14, Colonia 4, Magbuhos 4, Manzano 4, Hanapi 3, Sabandal 3, Jaymalin 3, Yerro 2, Barasi 0, Erolon 0.
Quarterscores: 13-22, 39-39, 55-53, 73-71.