By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Gerry Abadiano converted a timely basket as the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons escaped with a 67-64 win over the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, October 18.
After seeing their 59-50 lead turned into a 63-all score by a furious fourth quarter run by the Green Archers, Abadiano tracked down the offensive rebound and pulled up for a perimeter basket to surge the Fighting Maroons ahead at 65-63 with a minute left.
The Green Archers had a chance to tie the score, but Michael Phillips drilled only one of his two free throws. Negrense Reyland Torres converted two freebies for the Fighting Maroons to extend the advantage to 67-64.
With only 2.9 seconds left in the game, the Green Archers still had a chance to force overtime, but Joaqui Manuel’s inbound pass intended for Kevin Quiambao was stolen by Fighting Maroons’ Crispin John Cansino.
The Iloilo City-native Abadiano top-scored for the Fighting Maroons with 13 points. Maodo Malick Diouf had double-double 10 points and 18 rebounds, while Bacolodnon Harold Alarcon tallied 10 points and eight rebounds as they improved to a 6-0 slate.
Phillips finished with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Quiambao added 14 markers as the Green Archers suffered their second straight loss to drop to a 3-3 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws clawed back from an early deficit to score a 49-46 victory over the Adamson University Falcons for back-to-back wins.
The Tamaraws improved to 2-4, while the Falcons dropped to 3-3.
With the game knotted at 43-all, Louell Jay Gonzales carried his team on his back by scoring on back-to-back buckets for a 47-43 lead with more than a minute remaining.
Joem Sabandal brought the Falcons to within 46-47 with a three-point shot in 12 seconds. Royce Alforque calmly sank two clutch free throws to give the Tamaraws a 49-46 lead.
Gonzales led the Tamaraws anew with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Patrick Sleat followed his lead with 10 points.
UP 67 — Abadiano 13, Alarcon 10, Diouf 10, Lopez 7, Cansino 7, Belmonte 7, Torres 7, Cagulangan 6, Felicilda 0, Alter 0, Torculas 0, Pablo 0, Gonzales 0.
DLSU 64 — M. Phillips 15, Quiambao 14, David 7, Manuel 7, Nwankwo 6, Nonoy 5, Austria 5, Abadam 2, Macalalag 2, Policarpio 1, Escandor 0, B. Phillips 0, Gollena 0.
Quarterscores: 21-28, 38-47, 59-50, 67-64./ASC, WDJ