The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons edged the Adamson Falcons, 73-71, in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The win appeared to be in the bag for UP after Ricci Rivero swished a three-pointer to give the Maroons a seven-point lead with a little over a minute remaining. However, Adamson rallied as Didat Hanapi and Joshua Yerro connived for five straight points to inch within two with 31.4 ticks left, 71-73.
Rivero then missed a three-point try on UP’s next offensive, giving Adamson the chance to either tie or win the game. With time running out, Falcons guard Jerom Lastimosa called for a pick and got open for a trifecta from the top of the arc. However, his shot went short as time expired to give UP the victory.
The Fighting Maroons rose to 4-1, joining De La Salle University at second, while the Soaring Falcons dropped their third straight game and slid to 1-4 for seventh.
“A win is a win but you know we need to work on yung sa defense namin,” said first-year UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde. “I think going over sa next game namin, we need to look on yung part sa laro namin, yung defense.”
Zavier Lucero continued his stellar play for UP with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting to go with five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Malick Diouf played his best game in Maroons uniform with 16 points and 15 rebounds to go with three steals.
Lastimosa paced the Falcons with 18 points while Lenda Douanga had a double-double himself with 16 points and 14 rebounds. (JNP)