Buzzer-beater lifts UE over UP

BIGMAN Chris Javier has never nailed a triple in his collegiate basketball life not until Sunday when he connected from downtown to help University of the East (UE) in defeating University of the Philippines (UP), 79-76.

With less than five seconds remaining and the game tied at 76-all, Javier threw the buzzer-beating shot to give UE its second win against nine losses in the 75th UAAP season.

"I don't know how to react. I think the blood of a Red Warrior is just running through my veins (that's why I made that shot)," he told reporters at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Both cellar-dweller teams are deemed ousted from the Final Four race but UE came into the game hoping to avenge their 48-63 loss on August 19.

"It's a magical win for us," said UE mentor Boycie Zamar, who recently took over the coaching chores from Jerry Codinera.

Javier, whose name became one of the local trending topics on Twitter at one point, finished with 20 points alongside Roi Sumang.

UE even led as many as 11 points, 70-59, early in the payoff period before Mike Silungan, Mike Gamboa and Chris Ball took turns in cutting the deficit.

Ball even made it a one-point lead for UP, 76-75 with 2:22 left but that was the last for the Maroons as Gamboa missed a triple entering the last 60 seconds.

UE joined Adamson in a share of sixth place, while UP came last with a 1-9 card. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)