WHAT was missing in the University of the Philippines' back-to-back losses in UAAP Season 87 was finally found once more.
The Fighting Maroons put forth their enviable depth and balance to push off desperate Far Eastern University, 86-78, Saturday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Gerry Abadiano topped the scoring column with a 19 points, on top of four rebounds and two steals and was flanked by six other teammates who contributed somewhere between six to 12 markers.
Francis Lopez wound up with 12 points, including a fastbreak dunk that was the highlight in State U's 20-7 tear that upped a three-point halftime lead to a 62-42 advantage midway through the third quarter.
JD Cagulangan then came up clutch in scoring all but two of the maroon-and-green's last 11 points for a total of 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals, while Aldous Torculas turned in his best game with 11 markers and six boards, as UP delivered the team play coach Goldwin Monteverde was calling for following their two losses in a row to National University and La Salle.
READ: 'Team play' lacking as UP falls to La Salle anew, says Goldwin
"Every time naman may game dito, we have to battle it out. It makes you proud as a coach, especially galing talo kami, so seeing the heart of the players even through imperfections, yun ang gusto namin," said Monteverde.
FEU's late charge in playoff push
Still, the Tamaraws battled their way back to just down three, 78-81, with under one minute remaining only to see Cagulangan go to his patented stepback triple to seal the deal.
Already locked into the second seed, the Fighting Maroons nonetheless welcomed with open arms this bounce back win that hiked their record to 10-3.
FEU, on the other hand, closed out its campaign at 5-9, with all but one of its triumphs coming in the second round.
Jorick Baustista fronted their effort with 16 points, as Janrey Pasaol and Veejay Pre contributed 15 markers apiece, alongside a combined 15 rebounds and eight assists.
The Scores:
UP 86 - Abadiano 19, Cagulangan 12, Lopez 12, Torculas 11, Torres 7, Millora-Brown 7, Fortea 6, Felicilda 3, Alarcon 3, Bayla 2, Stevens 2, Belmonte 2, Briones 0, Ududo 0
FEU 78 - Bautista 16, Pasaol 15, Pre 15, Konateh 11, Alforque 9, Montemayor 7, Daa 3, Ona 2, Bagunu 0
Quarters: 22-16, 42-39, 67-62, 86, 78
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