Metro Manila, Philippines — The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons averted tragedy after escaping the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers in double overtime, 103-101, in Round 2 of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Fighting Maroon Veejay Pre outscored the entire España squad, 7-5, in the last five minutes to secure the team’s fourth straight victory and take a 6-2 record.
Meanwhile, UST slipped to 4-4 to tie with the De La Salle University Green Archers.
Pre exploded with a double-double outing of 30 points, including five treys, and 16 rebounds. Chicco Briones and Rey Remogat combined for 24 points to steer UP to a win.
It was a tight affair in the opener as both squads traded treys, but the Diliman-based squad came up on top after Miguel Yñiguez and Briones sank freebies that gave them a slim lead, 26-24.
Mark Llemit chalked up 12 straight points for the Growling Tigers to secure a nine-point advantage midway through the second quarter, but UP was quick to chip the lead to two before halftime, 49-47.
The duo of Briones and Dikachi Ududo propelled the Fighting Maroons to a 14-6 run in the third quarter to cut the lead but aggressive buckets from Llemit and Kirk Cañete kept UST on top by seven, 72-65.
Six crucial turnovers by UST allowed UP to build a massive 13-0 blitz to open the fourth quarter and overtake the match, 79-72.
Cañete and Llemit drained crucial free throws to widen the gap midway through overtime, 96-89, but another 7-0 counter by UP pressured another overtime
Llemit tried to breathe life to the Tigers with less than five seconds left on the clock but ultimately fell short of a comeback.
The loss foiled Llemit’s career-high 33 points in the loss. Akowe also came up big with a double-double 23 markers and 18 boards, while Cañete chipped in 16.
The Fighting Maroons will look to stay hot against the hapless University of the East Red Warriors on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers will attempt to break the tie against La Salle at the same time and venue.
NewsWatch Plus Philippines intern Jade Bagas contributed to this report.
The scores:
UP (103) — Pre 30, Briones 14, Remogat 10, Bayla 8, Stevens 8, Ududo 8, Dimaculangan 7, Yniguez 7, Maga 6, Payosing 5, Alter 0
UST (101) — Llemit 33, Akowe 23, Cañete 16, Jumawan 9, Acido 7, Buenaflor 6, Porter 4, Esteban 3, Chio 0, Alao 0, Danting 0
Quarterscores: 26-24, 47-49, 65-72, 86-86, 96-96, 103-101
