The University of the Philippines (UP) edged close to a ‘Final 4’ spot in the 82nd UAAP men’s basketball season following yesterday 80-77 win over National University (NU) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Kobe Paras finished with 19 points, six assists, four rebounds, and one block for UP; while Jun Manzo came alive in the second half, where he poured 12 of his 14 points; Bright Akhuetie contributed 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and two steals; while Juan Gomez de Liano offered up 11 points, 11 rebounds, and six dimes.
“We have to count our blessings,” said UP head coach Bo Perasol. “We can’t go to the highest point of the competition if we can’t get to the next level.”
With UP up 77-70 after a Paras triple with three minutes left in the game, NU made it a two-point game, down 77-75 with under a minute to play.
While UP was still ahead 80-77 after three free throws by Manzo, NU failed to send the match into overtime after Shaun Ildefonso misfired a potentially game-tying trey at the buzzer.
In the other game, Far Eastern University eked past Adamson University, 63-60./ASC, WDJ