REY Suerte scored a career-best 31 points to lift University of the East to a huge 89-88 upset win over La Salle for its first win in the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The two-time CESAFI MVP knocked down the final six points for the Red Warriors as they made the win column after three losses.
Suerte shot 5-of-7 from deep, while also grabbing seven rebounds and three assists to give coach Bong Tan his first coaching victory.
"One word: Suerte. Swerte lang," said active consultant Lawrence Chongson.
Suerte truly played the role of the hero to a tee as he knocked down the go-ahead trey with 15.4 seconds remaining for an 86-85 UE lead.
Aljun Melecio answered with a three of his own with 10.8 ticks left that put La Salle up, 88-86.
This day, however, belonged to Suerte as he rose over three defenders with 3.2 seconds left to deliver the dagger for the Red Warriors.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa first win. Sana tuloy tuloy pa," said Suerte.
Rookie Neil Tolentino also had his finest performance to date with 19 points and three boards, while Jem Cruz had 13 points and eight rebounds.
It was UE's first win over La Salle since Roi Sumang and Bong Galanza led the Warriors to an 68-66 victory on Sept. 10, 2014.
Melecio dropped 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter as he was integral in the Green Archers' 9-0 rally to fight back from an 81-74 deficit in the final 3:09 before grabbing an 83-81 lead with 1:07 to play.
Justine Baltazar also saw his 21 points, 17 boards and two blocks spoiled, while Andrei Caracut got 16 points, six assists, and four rebounds for La Salle, which dropped to 1-2.
The scores:
UE 89 - Suerte 31, Tolentino 19, Cruz 13, Pagsanjan 8, Apacible 6, Conner 4, Mendoza 4, Natividad 4, Abanto 0, Camacho 0, Diakhite 0, Sawat 0.
La Salle 88 - Baltazar 21, Melecio 21, Caracut 16, Serrano 14, Pado 9, Lojera 3, Bartlett 2, Manuel 2, Bates 0, Hill 0.
Quarterscores: 28-24; 48-37; 70-63; 89-88.
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