UNIVERSITY of the Philippines survived the best punches National University had to offer yet and weathered the storm for an 84-76 victory on Tuesday in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
Carl Tamayo had his best game to date with 21 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and two assists as the Fighting Maroons stretched their win streak to seven, their longest since 1986.
Zavier Lucero and Ricci Rivero also continued their solid showings for UP with 16 points each to reinforce its position at second place with a 7-1 win-loss record.
The Fighting Maroons lost a 12-point third quarter lead, 47-35, as the Bulldogs tied the game at 58, with a Reyland Torres three at the 1:10 mark of the frame.
The game continued to be close in the payoff period, but Joel Cagulangan orchestrated the team's late pullaway, with Lucero delivering the dagger thanks to his tough twisting jumper to give UP the 82-68 lead with 1:25 left to play.
Carl Tamayo, Joel Cagulangan celebrate as the Maroons improve to 7-1.
Lucero sustained his MVP-level showing with his eight rebounds and three blocks, while Rivero shot 2-of-6 from deep, to go with six boards and two assists.
Cagulangan also had his share with seven points, eight dimes, three rebounds, and one steal in the victory.
"Siguro sa lahat ng game namin, dito kami nakapag-start ng madiin talaga. But siguro yung third quarter, dumami na yung turnovers namin so we have to be consistent," said coach Goldwin Monteverde. "We need to see what areas to improve pa rin. Definitely, coming from this win, meron pa rin kaming male-learn."
NU saw its two-game win streak snapped, falling to an even 4-4 record.
John Lloyd Clemente paced the Bulldogs with 18 points on 3-of-5 clip from distance, to go with three rebounds, while Reyland Torres drained four triples for his 15 points, four boards, four steals, and two assists, but struggled to make the long bombs late.
Shaun Ildefonso had 11 points and four rebounds, as Michael Malonzo just missed out on a double-double with his nine points and 15 boards in the loss.
The scores:
UP 84 - Tamayo 21, Rivero 16, Lucero 16, Cagulangan 7, Diouf 7, Alarcon 5, Webb 5, Fortea 4, Abadiano 3, Spencer 0, Catapusan 0.
NU 76 - Clemente 18, Torres 15, Ildefonso 11, Malonzo 9, Minerva 8, Felicilda 5, Gaye 4, Joson 2, Figueroa 2, Manansala 2, Tibayan 0, Enriquez 0, Mahinay 0.
Quarterscores: 26-14; 42-35; 62-58; 84-76.
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