The UP Fighting Maroons came back in the fourth quarter to edge the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 69-67, in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The win gave the Katipunan-based side a share of first place with National University and Far Eastern University.
UP, Adamson Trade Big Runs
Last season’s runners-up opened with a 17-6 run, but Adamson regrouped and went ahead, 48-35. The Soaring Falcons still led, 55-45, after three quarters. The Fighting Maroons answered with a 17-5 run, capped by a Veejay Pre layup that put them ahead, 62-60, with 3:33 left.
Ray Allen Torres tied the game at 62 apiece, but James Payosing, Noy Remogat, and Gani Stevens scored the next seven points to give UP a 69-62 lead with 1:53 to go. Adamson cut the lead to two on a Mathew Montebon three-pointer with 26 seconds left, and Mat Edding then stole the inbound pass. Earl Medina missed a wide-open corner three, and Montebon’s desperation heave at the buzzer missed the mark.
“If there’s one thing we have yet to see from our team, it’s being focused on all four quarters. Right now, we’re playing in spurts. What’s important is how they responded,” said UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
Remogat, Pre Take Over Again
Remogat led UP with 14 points and 6 assists. Dikachi Ududo, playing in just his second game of the season, chipped in 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Pre finished the game with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Miguel Yñiguez contributed 11 points.
Edding paced Adamson with 15 points, while Precious Jonah added 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Matt Erolon and Montebon had 10 points each.
The Fighting Maroons will next face the UE Red Warriors on Saturday, October 17, 2:30 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila. Meanwhile, Adamson will next face the La Salle Green Archers on Sunday, October 18, 5:30 p.m. at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
