Maroons score another come-from-behind win

Games on Saturday (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m. – UE vs Adamson / 4 p.m. – UP vs FEU

Reigning champion University of the Philippines turned it up late to complete another comeback, this time against host Adamson in a thrilling 87-78 overtime win in the UAAP Season 85 yesterday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Zavier Lucero and Terrence Fortea took turns in draining timely buckets in extra time as UP climbed to 2-0 in the historic venue formerly known as Ultra, where the Maroons won the UAAP title in 1986 before regaining the crown last May.

It’s the second come-from-behind win for the resilient Diliman-based squad, which clawed back from 16 points down at the break, in a virtual repeat of their 72-69 escape act versus La Salle on opening weekend.

Lucero headlined UP’s onslaught with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Fortea added 12 markers, five dimes and three steals. Malick Diouf imposed his will inside with a 13-12 double-double plus four blocks.

Gilas Pilipinas forward Carl Tamayo, after collaring a monster 18-19 line against La Salle, had 11 points along with two steals and two blocks.

Earlier, Kyle Paranada exploded for a career-high 25 points as University of the East stunned Far Eastern U, 76-66, and snapped its 15-game losing skid after a 0-14 campaign in Season 84.

Later, La Salle barged into the win column with an 83-63 rout of Santo Tomas, 83-63, while Ateneo stayed abreast with UP at 2-0 after a 77-60 drubbing of National U. The scores: First Game UE 76 – K. Paranada 25, Tulabut 9, Villegas 8, N. Paranada 8, Pagsanjan 7, Sawat 6, Payawal 5, Stevens 4, Alcantara 2, Antiporda 2, Remogat 0, Beltran 0.

FEU 66 – Sleat 15, Añonuevo 10, Torres 8, Alforque 6, Bautista 6, Gonzales 5, Tempra 5, Tchuente 4, Gravera 3, Sandagon 2, Songcuya 2, Guibao 0, Ona 0. Quarterscores: 18-19, 38-36, 63-44, 76-66 Second Game UP 87 – Lucero 15, Diouf 13, Fortea 12, Tamayo 11, Alarcon 9, Gonzales 9, Spencer 8, Galinato 3, Ramos 3, Torculas 2, Calimag 2, Abadiano 0.

Adamson 78 – Lastimosa 25, Douanga 11, V. Magbuhos 10, Sabandal 10, Hanapi 8, Yerro 4, Jaymalin 3, Manzano 2, Barasi 2, W. Magbuhos 2, Flowers 1, Colonia 0, Torres 0, Barcelona 0. Quarterscores: 19-17, 31-47, 58-62, 74-74, 87-78 Third Game La Salle 83 – Winston 19, Austria 13, M. Phillips 11, Quiambao 11, Estacio 6, Abadam 6, B. Phillips 5, Nonoy 3, Blanco 3, Manuel 2, Nwankwo 2, Cortez 2, Escandor 0, Macalalag 0, Buensalida 0.

UST 63 – Pangilinan 11, Faye 10, Cabanero 10, Manalang 10, Garing 6, Lazarte 5, Escobido 4, Mantua 3, Calimag 3, Laure 1, Manaytay 0, Duremdes 0, Magdangal 0, Herrera 0, Gesalem 0. Quarterscores: 30-21, 47-40, 65-46, 83-63 Fourth Game The Scores: Ateneo 77 – Kouame 17, Padrigao 13, Ildefonso 12, Ballungay 10, Andrade 9, Koon 6, Lazaro 5, Gomez 3, Daves 2, Chiu 0, Garcia 0, Quitevis 0, Fornilos 0, Lao 0, Ong 0.

NU 60 – Malonzo 13, Clemente 9, Manansala 9, Baclaan 7, Figueroa 6, Yu 4, Galinato 3, Palacielo 3, Minerva 2, John 2, Tulabut 2, Mahinay 0, Padrones 0.

Quarterscores: 20-15, 38-30, 60-45, 77-60