UAAP 85: Fighting Maroons spill Green Archers; Tigers win

Defending champion University of the Philippines needed to dig deep to dispose of De La Salle University, 72-69, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball opener, Saturday (Oct. 1) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Trailing by three, Kevin Quiambao, who has been struggling all night, drilled a trey to put La Salle within two with 1:36 to go, 64-66 but Carl Tamayo and James Spencer answered back with four straight points to put UP ahead, 70-64, with 16 seconds left.

But the Green Archers were able to produce two quick points off a Mike Phillips putback on Schonny Winston’s miss with 12.2 ticks to go, 66-70.

Terrence Fortea and Carl Tamayo of the UP Fighting Maroons [UAAP photo]
Terrence Fortea and Carl Tamayo of the UP Fighting Maroons [UAAP photo]

Then in the ensuing play, Tamayo caught the inbound but the ball slipped off his arms to give La Salle the ball back which Evan Nelle translated to a triple off the board with 6.6 seconds remaining, 69-70.

Tamayo was then sent to the line with four ticks left when he drained two clutch freebies before Nelle fumbled the next play and failed to take a shot.

“Actually I just felt ‘yung defense namin mag pick-up especially noong third quarter. Malaking bagay ‘yung depensa talaga,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.

Tamayo had a monster double-double of 18 points and 19 rebounds, while Malick Diouf got nine points and 13 rebounds.

Terrence Fortea stepped up in lieu of Season 84 hero JD Cagulangan who did not play due to a hamstring injury with 15 points, nine assists, and five rebounds.

UP will look for its second straight win on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena when it clashes with Adamson University at 1 pm.

Carl Tamayo,of the UP Fighting Maroons and Kevin Quiambao of the DLSU Green Archers [UAAP photo]
Carl Tamayo,of the UP Fighting Maroons and Kevin Quiambao of the DLSU Green Archers [UAAP photo]

Schonny Winston tallied 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting but made just two points in the crucial payoff period.

Phillips chimed in eight points, 20 rebounds, four blocks, and three steals.

On the other hand, the Green Archers seek to bounce back later that day against University of Santo Tomas at 4:30 pm.

In the first game, Nic Cabañero unleashed 33 points to give University of Santo Tomas a 69-60 squeaker over Adamson University in the tournament opener.

Jerom Lastimosa pulled the Soaring Falcons back within three after a triple with 56.4 seconds left in the match, 60-63.

But it was all Growling Tigers after that with Cabañero draining a jumper before Paul Manalang and Christian Manaytay drained their freebies to completely ice the game.

Adama Faye of the UST Growling Tigers [UAAP photo]
Adama Faye of the UST Growling Tigers [UAAP photo]

“It’s overwhelming kasi grabe ‘yung suporta ng Thomasian community. We’re very grateful nandiyan sila through thick and thin,” said UST head coach Bal David, winning his debut in the premier collegiate league.

Aside from his scoring which he made efficiently, going 13-of-18 from the field, Cabañero chipped in four assists, two rebounds, and a steal even though he committed nine turnovers as well.

“Sobrang overwhelmed and blessed kasi pinagdadasal ko kasi I’m turning 19 kasi this Monday. Lagi kong ipinagdadasal na ibigay sa amin itong first win, hindi lang first pati ‘yung upcoming games,” said Cabañero.

The Scores:
First game:
UST 69 — Cabanero 33, Manaytay 7, Faye 6, Pangilinan 6, Mantes 5, Mantua 4, Calimag 3, Duremdes 2, Herrera 2, Manalang 1, Lazarte 0, Magdangal 0, Laure 0.

Adamson 60 — Douanga 13, Yerro 13, Lastimosa 10, Hanapi 10, Sabandal 9, V. Magbuhos 3, Barcelona 2, Colonia 0, Manzano 0, Flowers 0, Barasi 0, Torres 0, Manlapaz 0, Jaymalin 0.

Quarterscores: 23-18, 42-38, 48-42, 69-60.

Second game:
UP 72 — Tamayo 18, Fortea 15, Diouf 9, Spencer 8, Lucero 7, Gonzales 7, Alarcon 5, Ramos 3, Abadiano 0, Galinato 0, Torculas 0, Eusebio 0, Lina 0, Calimag 0.

LA SALLE 69 — Winston 27, Nelle 9, M. Phillips 8, Nonoy 8, Quiambao 5, Austria 4, Manuel 4, Nwankwo 2, Macalalag 2, B. Phillips 0.

Quarters: 16-17, 34-42, 50-54, 72-69.