Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 7)— The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons eked out a 61-59 win over the De La Salle University Green Archers on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena to clinch solo second in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament.
Zavier Lucero once again anchored the Diliman-based squad — posting a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds.
Breaking the endgame deadlock, the Fil-Am recruit scored the go-ahead layup at the 1:48 mark to give UP the two-point lead.
La Salle looked to tie with under a minute to go, but Michael Phillips missed a floater at the buzzer.
Carl Tamayo and CJ Cansino pitched in nine points apiece for the Maroons, who managed to win despite registering 23 turnovers.
Justine Baltazar and Evan Nelle topscored for the Green Archers with 13 markers each.
With the win, UP now rises to a 5-1 slate, while La Salle drops to 4-2.
The scores
UP 61 — Lucero 21, Tamayo 9, Cansino 9, Spencer 7, Diouf 7, Cagulangan 5, Fortea 3, Rivero 0, Alarcon 0, Abadiano 0.
LA SALLE 59 — Baltazar 13, Nelle 13, M. Phillips 9, Nonoy 9, Winston 7, Lojera 3, Galman 3, Nwankwo 2, Austria 0, B. Phillips 0, Cuajao 0.
Quarters: 17-17, 32-35, 43-48, 61-59.
