UP Maroons snap out of five-game slide after turning back Adamson comeback

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines snapped its five-game losing skid with an 89-84 victory over Adamson on Saturday in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Fighting Maroons raised their record to 3-5 after going through a slump after a 2-0 start.

The Falcons put a gallant fight in the end but fell short, dropping their seventh loss after winning their first game against UP just last week.

Henri Asilum scored 10 of his 19 points in the third quarter, where the Maroons opened a 68-56 lead.

Jett Manuel broke out of his slump, scoring 16 points to go with eight rebounds, while Diego Dario and Agustini Amar each had 13 points for the Maroons.

“This is a team effort to finally end the losing streak,” said UP coach Rensy Bajar.

For his part, Manuel said: “Everybody contributed based on the stats sheet. We are forgetting about the first round but at the same time, we are learning from it.”

Papi Sarr had 18 points and 17 rebounds for the Falcons while Jerome Garcia added 12 points.

The scores:

UP (89) — Asilum 19, Manuel 16, Dario 14, Amar 13, Desiderio 8, Longa 8, Juruena 7, Moralde 2, Harris 2, Kone 0, Jaboneta 0, Vito 0, Lim 0.

Adamson (84)—Sarr 18, Garcia 12, Margallo 11, Nalos 8, Ng 8, Capote 7, Tungcab 5, Garcia 5, Escalambre 5, Polican 3, Ochea 2, Camacho 0.

Quarterscores: 19-16, 44-36, 68-56, 89-84.