RICCI Rivero took over in the overtime period, leading University of the Philippines to a 92-85 win over La Salle on Sunday in the 2019 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.
The prolific guard had 10 of his 28 points in the extra period as the Fighting Maroons completed their fightback from a 14-point deficit, 60-46, in the third frame.
Rivero scored the big lay-up with 2:40 to play that made it an 82-79 lead before icing the game with four straight free throws in the final minute. He also collected eight rebounds and two steals.
Javi Gomez de Liano contributed 25 points and six rebounds in his debut in the summer tournament, none bigger than his and-one play that made it 85-81 with 54 seconds remaining.
"The objective of our every game, not just against La Salle, is for us to learn how to win together," said coach Bo Perasol. "Kudos goes to Ricci and Javi for helping us. It's something that we need to learn. It has to be in us to learn how to win."
Jun Manzo had 18 points, nine boards and seven assists as UP made it back-to-back wins for a 2-1 record in Group A.
Rivero canned a pair of freebies with 13.3 seconds left in regulation to knot the score at 74, before denying Andrei Caracut's potential winner on the other end. The Fighting Maroons still had a chance to win the game, but Manzo could not get a shot off before time expired.
Justine Baltazar led La Salle with 22 points and 13 rebounds, as Ralph Cu had 15 points, all from downtown.
It was the Green Archers' first defeat in two outings in the preseason tilt.
The scores:
UP 92 - Rivero 28, Ja. Gomez de Liano 25, Manzo 18, Akhuetie 8, Prado 7, Webb 2, Gob 2, Murrell 2, Jaboneta 0, Spencer 0, Tungcab 0, Gozum 0.
La Salle 85 - Baltazar 22, Cu 15, Melecio 13, Bartlett 12, Lojera 10, Caracut 9, Manuel 3, Manaytay 1, Bates 0, Lim 0, Serrano 0, Capacio 0.
Quarterscores: 20-17; 38-40; 53-62; 74-74; 92-85.
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