Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons upset the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 70-66, to register back-to-back victories in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 79 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Jett Manuel and Paul Desiderio paced UP with 16 points apiece, while Javi Gomez de Liano chipped in with 13.
It was a far cry from the UP team that conceded over a hundred points when they last met the Adamson Falcons on the hardcourt.
But it did not look like that at the start.
The Falcons started out on the front foot, finishing the opening quarter with a 20-9 advantage.
The Fighting Maroons quickly flipped the script in the second quarter by outscoring Adamson 21-9, to take a slim 30-29 lead into the halftime break.
Things did not get better for the Falcons in the second half, as the Maroons padded their lead to as much as 50-40 in the third quarter.
The Falcons would not go out quietly though, with Robbie Manalang draining a three to cut the deficit to 65-61 with 1:16 left in regulation.
Desiderio nailed a jumper to stem the tide, but Sean Manganti drained a couple of free throws to trim the lead down to 67-63 with 45 ticks left on the clock.
With 25 seconds left to play, Manuel rose up to hit a jumper from the corner, which sent him crumpling down due to cramps, to give the Fighting Maroons a decisive 69-63 lead.
The Falcons would not be able to stop the slide down to a 4-5 win-loss slate. UP improves their record to 3-6
Papi Sarr and Manalang led Adamson in the losing effort with 18 and 10 markers, respectively.
The Fighting Maroons look to continue their winning streak against the La Salle Green Archers on October 15, while Adamson hopes to get back on the winning trail against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
