UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) asserted its dominance over Ateneo in overtime, 76-71, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Fighting Maroons Malick Diouf and Terrence Fortea split their charities to give defending champion UP a 73-68 with 32.1 seconds left in overtime.
Forthsky Padrigao nailed a triple as the Blue Eagles came to within 71-73 with 23.4 seconds to go but Carl Tamayo was sent to the line and split his free throws for another UP breather, 74-71.
Kai Ballungay missed a three-pointer for and Ange Kouame touchied the ball last in the battle for the ball.
Diouf was fouled in UP’s offense and iced the game from the line.
“I believe that we played better as a team. We moved the ball well, we really tried to work on our offense,” said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde, comparing their loss to National University last Wednesday.
The Fighting Maroons shut down the Blue Eagles in the first one and a half minutes of the fourth period before Padrigao and Dave Ildefonso scored seven unanswered points to knot the game at 64 with 36.7 seconds left.
Tamayo then committed a crucial turnover to give Ateneo a chance to win but Padrigao missed his three-pointer to send the game to extra period, 64-64.
“The whole team did its best to execute on both ends,” added Monteverde.
Tamayo produced 20 points, 18 in the second half, and 13 rebounds while James Spencer got 14 points and six rebounds.
JD Cagulangan finally made his season debut for UP. He was fielded in the 4:52 mark of the first quarter and finished with seven points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.
The Fighting Maroons rose to joint first with National University at 4-1, while pulling the Blue Eagles down to 3-2 alongside De La Salle University and University of the East at third spot.
Ildefonso contributed 22 points and 12 rebounds in the losing cause while Padrigao finished with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists.