The University of the Philippines (UP) rediscovered its form late against University of Santo Tomas (UST) to return to the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball win column.

The Fighting Maroons overwhelmed the Growling Tigers, 83-73, during their Round 2 clash on Sunday evening, October 13, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Francis Lopez led UP with 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Terrence Fortea came alive in the last 20 minutes of gameplay by scoring 14 of his total 16 markers in the second half.

These were indeed reflected in the stats sheet as the Maroons outrebounded UST, 43-35, and they also imposed their way inside with a 34-28 advantage in points in the paint.

Facing a 65-61 deficit with still eight minutes left in the game, State U went on a massive 16-to-2 run to overtake the España-based team, 77-67, thanks to baskets from JD Cagulangan, Quentin Millora-Brown, Mark Belmonte, and Reyland Torres.

Fortea went on to hit a dagger three-pointer to create an 83-73 advantage, and that was all that the Maroons needed to bounce back from their previous defeat against De La Salle University to end the first round.

Monteverde hailed Fortea for his heroics, and he said that his performance tonight was also a matter of the whole team putting their faith in the fourth-year ace.

On the other hand, Mo Tounkara led UST with a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds, while Nic Cabanero and Christian Manaytay posted 17 and 12, respectively. (ABS-CBN News)