SAVING its best for last, the University of the Philippines just had a little bit more gass than University of Santo Tomas in double-overtime for a hardfought, 103-101, win to start the second round of UAAP Season 89 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Veejay Pre spearheaded the Fighting Maroons’ turnaround since erupting for 16 points in the first half, saving another late surge to show the way for his side anew.
“We started out well naman in this game, but what I’m most proud of is that pagdating sa double-overtime, puso na lang talaga eh. Seeing the players fight until the very end was a learning experience for us,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Pre put together a career-high 30 points and 16 rebounds, becoming the first State U player to reach the 30-point mark since Juan Gomez de Liano eight years ago.
He was particularly unstoppable in the second extra period, where he scored all seven of the maroon-and-green's points. Chicco Briones chipped in 14 points in just 13 minutes, while Rey Remogat added 10.
The victory extended the Fighting Maroons' win run to four games - hiking their record to 6-2, good for solo first ahead of idle National U at 5-2.
The Growling Tigers saw their own two-game winning streak dashed after ceding control in the second overtime.
Mark Llemit led UST with 33 points, while Collins Akowe posted a 23-point, 18-rebound. Kirk Canete finished with 16 points, but missed a potential game-tying shot in the dying moments of 2OT.
The Scores:
UP 103 – Pre 30, Briones 14, Remogat 10, Bayla 8, Stevens 8, Ududo 8, Dimaculangan 7, Yñiguez 7, Maga 6, Payosing 5, Alter 0.
UST 101 – Llemit 33, Akowe 23, Cañete 16, Jumawan 9, Acido 7, Buenaflor 6, Porter 4, Esteban 3, Chio 0, Alao 0, Danting 0.
Quarters: 26-24, 47-49, 65-72, 86-86, 96-96, 103-101.
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