UAAP: UP absorbs 5th straight loss

STATE-RUN University of the Philippines (UP) continued its losing streak in the 75th UAAP men’s basketball tournament, absorbing its fifth defeat in the hands of Far Eastern University (FEU), 73-70, on Sunday.

UP joined University of the East (0-4) in the cellar but both teams are set to part ways on August 12, the penultimate day of the first round of eliminations.

True to its moniker, the Fighting Maroons never bowed out of the two-hour competition easily.

Taking advantage of FEU’s sloppy offense in the payoff period, UP turned a 15-point deficit into a two-point game, 71-69, courtesy of Alvin Padilla’s trifecta with 1:51 remaining.

With the clock winding down, veteran Mark Lopez was sent to the charity stripe after drawing a foul. Lopez, however, failed to send the game into extra time with only five seconds left, nailing only one of his two free throws.

This pushed UP to foul FEU playmaker Terrence Romeo in the next play as he buried his freebies to list the final tally.

“It’s good that we have a savior in Terrence because RR (Garcia) is still reeling from his ankle injury last summer. Overall, we are still struggling in our defense. We have a good start but we have problems in end game,” Tamaraws coach Bert Flores told reporters at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Romeo had a career-best 24 points on top of nine rebounds and eight assists. Garcia, a former league MVP, scattered all his five points in the first half, while Mike Silungan finished with 12 points for UP.

FEU improved its record to 5-1, tied with defending champion Ateneo de Manila. Both squads will slug it out for the solo lead also on August 12 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

In the other contest, host National University blasted Adamson, 77-62, to grab its fourth win in six assignments. The Falcons dropped to sixth place with a 1-3 slate.

“We started strong and we were able to sustain it. The boys were much focused today. We really prepared on what we are supposed to do,” Bulldogs mentor Eric Altamirano said. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)