University of the Philippines held off Far Eastern University, 61-55, for its first win in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Javi Gomez de Liano outshone his fancied new teammates as he registered 22 points, six rebounds, and three assists to guide the Fighting Maroons to the opening day victory.
The win, however, almost didn’t materialize with the Tamaraws crawling back from a 38-27 halftime and tying the game at 55 with 4:06 to play.
Bright Akhuetie converted on a hook shot with 1:35 on the clock to once again put UP up, 57-55, as Hubert Cani and Wendell Comboy all muffled their potential go-ahead buckets for FEU.
Jun Manzo, then, iced the game from the charity stripe in the final 10.6 seconds to lock up the six-point win.
Manzo collected nine points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, as reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player Akhuetie garnered seven points and 11 rebounds.
Coach Bo Perasol, however, knows that the triumph wouldn’t be possible if not for Gomez de Liano.
“There were a lot of times that Javi bailed us out,” he lamented. “I don’t think I would like to be happy with how we executed things, but the way Javi scored against FEU was what bailed us out.”
Kobe Paras missed the game for UP due to a sprained right ankle he sustained during UP’s practice last Monday.
Brandrey Bienes led FEU with nine points, three rebounds, two assists.
L-Jay Gonzales chimed in eight points, seven boards, six assists, and two steals, as Cameroonian bruiser Patrick Tchuente made eight points, 14 rebounds, and two rejections in his first game for the Tamaraws.
Rhenz Abando pumped 22 points as University of Santo Tomas clipped University of the East, 95-82, to open the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Pangasinense rookie, who transferred from Philippine College of Science and Technology, immediately made his presence felt for the Growling Tigers as he shot 5-of-15 from outside, on top of his four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Beninese high-flyer Soulemane Chabi Yo also impressed in his UST debut with his double-double outing of 19 points, 12 rebounds, and one block, while Brent Paraiso and Sherwin Concepcion combined for 20 points.
It was an impressive first game for the Growling Tigers as they rolled out their newfound desire to light it up from distance, going 14-of-49 from outside as they enjoyed a lead as high as 23 in the payoff period.
But the Red Warriors refused to go down without a fight, slicing the lead down to 10, 90-80, with 1:50 remaining courtesy of a Harvey Pagsanjan and-one play.
Mark Nonoy, however, ended that rally and his own struggles, burying a trey for his first bucket in 12 tries to give UST a 93-80 advantage with 1:33 left.
CJ Cansino also marked his triumphant return from a left ACL injury with his statline of nine points, eight rebounds, five assists, and one block for the Growling Tigers.
“It feels good to win your first game because it gives you confidence, boosts your morale, especially if you have nine newcomers. Pag madaming baguhan na players, gusto mo right away in the first game lumabas ang laro ng mga bata para maka-set na ng tone,” said coach Aldin Ayo.