THERE would be no late-game drama this time.
The University of the Philippines made sure of that early, taking care of Adamson for a wire-to-wire 82-70 win in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fighting Maroons extended their league-best winning streak to six games, taking another significant step toward an eighth consecutive Final Four appearance.
More importantly, State U kept control of its own destiny, as the races for the postseason berths and playoff incentives begin to tighten.
James Payosing set the tone with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while Elliot Dimaculangan came out firing for 11 points and Dikachi Ududo did his part inside with a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Rey Remogat endured a quiet start, but saved his best work for when it mattered. The veteran gunner scored five clutch points to finish with 12, making sure this would be a markedly different meeting from their first-round encounter, when the Soaring Falcons pushed UP to the limit - and had a contentious non-call go against them at the buzzer.
There was no such opportunity in this one, as the Fighting Maroons were in complete command from start to finish.
The loss sent Adamson to a third straight defeat and a 4-6 record, drawing level with University of Santo Tomas for the sixth spot.
Not even Matty Erolon's hot-shooting night was enough to break the UP hex. He finished with 20 points on 50-percent shooting.
The Scores:
UP 82 — Payosing 15, Remogat 12, Ududo 12, Dimaculangan 11, Bayla 7, Pre 6, Yniguez 6, Alter 4, Briones 3, Palanca 2, Stevens 2, Maga 2.
ADAMSON 70 — Erolon 20, Montebon 13, Edding 10, Torres 10, Medina 6, Anabo 4, Canete 3, Ojarikre 2, Cruz-Dumont 1, Tumaneng 1, Demisana 0, Perez 0, Pacquiao 0, Mangaron 0.
Quarters: 19-17, 45-31, 68-58, 82-70.
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