University of the Philippines secured a twice-to-beat edge in the post-season after tripping University of the East, 81-68, in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament, Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Fighting Maroons won their second consecutive game to improve to 10-2 and hold steady the second spot.
UP zoomed to an 18-8 first quarter lead, before even stretching the gap to 18 at the half, 44-26.
But the Red Warriors were not to be swayed away that easily, able to slash their once 19-point deficit down to nine at the 8:00 mark of the fourth period, 52-61.
UP though showed its composure down the stretch with a 12-4 counter-run capped by Ricci Rivero’s alley-oop slam off a JD Cagulangan dish, for a fresh 17-point lead with 4:20 to go, 73-56.
“Working pa rin kami as a team — how to get ‘yung rhythm namin as a team, how to execute as a team which nakikita ko we’ve been doing for the whole game kanina,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Fighting Maroon Zavier Lucero ended his personal slump with 20 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks, and three assists.
Rivero chipped in 17 points and four rebounds, while CJ Cansino had eight points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Jojo Antiporda delivered 15 points while Escamis flirted with a triple-double with nine points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists as the Red Warriors fell to 0-12.
UE will try to win on Thursday against National University at 10 a.m. UP will close the day against University of Santo Tomas at 7 p.m.