UNIVERSITY of the Philippines had to sweat a little before taking its fourth straight win, slipping past Adamson, 73-71, Tuesday in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
Jerom Lastimosa missed the potential game-winning three at the buzzer for the Soaring Falcons as the Fighting Maroons heaved that huge sigh of relief after losing a 73-66 lead in the last 1:29.
Zavier Lucero powered UP in this great escape with 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals as the Fighting Maroons preserved their spot at second place at 4-1.
Malick Diouf also had his best game for the Diliman side with a 16-point, 15-rebound double-double, Carl Tamayo added 11 points and five boards, and Ricci Rivero got 10 points built on a pair of triples.
The Maroons notch heir fourth win in five games.
"A win is a win. After this game, we need to work sa defense namin," said coach Goldwin Monteverde. "Maraming lapses. I think going sa next game namin, kailangan namin ma-improve pa lalo yung defense."
The Fighting Maroons had a chance to seal the game in the final 31.4 seconds, but Rivero missed his corner three opening the window for the Soaring Falcons yet luckily dodged the bullet when Lastimosa shot his three from the top of the arc short.
Adamson stumbled to its third consecutive loss to sink to 1-4.
Lastimosa paced the Soaring Falcons with 18 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals, as Lenda Douanga got a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds in the loss.
Keith Zaldivar also had 14 in the defeat.
The Scores:
UP 73 -- Lucero 20, Diouf 16, Tamayo 11, Rivero 10, Cansino 9, Cagulangan 3, Spencer 2, Abadiano 2, Fortea 0, Alarcon 0, Catapusan 0.
ADAMSON 71 -- Lastimosa 18, Douanga 16, Zaldivar 14, Colonia 4, Magbuhos 4, Manzano 4, Hanapi 3, Sabandal 3, Jaymalin 3, Yerro 2, Barasi 0, Erolon 0.
Quarters: 13-22, 39-39, 55-53, 73-71.
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