By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons leaned on a strong third quarter surge to beat University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 78-60, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball yesterday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Carl Tamayo led the way with 19 points, including three outside conversions, to go with nine rebounds as the defending champion Fighting Maroons returned to their winning ways with an 11-2 slate.

Cyril Gonzales chipped in 14 points, mostly in the second half, while Maodo Malick Diouf had a complete game of 10 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block for the Fighting Maroons.

The UP set the tone early at 12-5 behind back-to-back triples and an inside hit by Tamayo, but the Growling Tigers stormed back with a 12-3 run to snatch a 16-15 advantage.

The Fighting Maroons managed to pull away by double-digits at the onset of the second quarter, but the Growling Tigers ended the half with another furious run to cut the deficit to 34-37.

In the third quarter, it was UP with Gonzales and JD Cagulangan spearheading the offense, but the Growling Tigers managed to keep in step just to be behind 49-59.

The Maroons went on to pull away further in the fourth quarter behind Gonzales, Tamayo and Richi Calimag as they led 64-49 before widening it to its largest of 18 points late in the match.

“Si Coach Gold (Monteverde) rarely talks sa pre-game ‘yung mga standings because our season has been built on growth ng team. Just building every game, but at the same time realizing ‘yung importance ng larong ito na twice-to-beat, obviously malaking advantage ‘yun,” Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon said.

Nicael Cabañero still paced the Growling Tigers with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Adama Faye had 12 points and 11 rebounds. They absorbed their 11th straight loss to sink to 1-11.

UP 78 — Tamayo 19, Gonzales 14, Diouf 10, Cagulangan 8, Lucero 6, Abadiano 4, Galinato 4, Spencer 3, Ramos 3, Calimag 3, Alarcon 2, Torculas 2, Lina 0, Eusebio 0, Andrews 0.

UST 60 — Cabañero 14, Faye 12, Calimag 7, Pangilinan 6, Manalang 6, Laure 4, Mantua 4, Manaytay 3, Magdangal 2, Garing 2, Herrera 0, Escobido 0, Gesalem 0.

Quarterscores: 15-16, 37-34, 59-49, 78-60./ASC, WDJ