By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons suffered a heartbreaking 62-59 defeat at the hands of Adamson University in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday night, September 24.

Negrense Harold Alarcon tied the game at 59 with a clutch inside basket in the dying seconds, giving UP a chance to extend the match.

But the Maroons’ hopes were dashed when former UP-Integrated School standout Ray Allen Torres drilled a cold-blooded three-pointer with 2.3 ticks left, handing the Falcons their first victory of the season.

Alarcon, who finished with 12 points, was instrumental in fueling UP’s comeback from a 10-point deficit, but his efforts were not enough to save the defending champions from sliding to 0-2.

Ilonggo guard Gerry Abadiano paced the Maroons with 15 markers, while Isagani Stevens added 10.

Torres ended the game with 10 points, highlighted by two crucial triples, while AJ Fransman anchored Adamson with 10 points and eight rebounds to earn Player of the Game honors.

In the other game, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles withstood a strong second-half charge from the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors to escape with a 62-60 victory and climb to 2-0.

UE fell to 0-2.

The Blue Eagles squandered a double-digit lead as Wello Lingolingo put the Red Warriors ahead, 60-58, with a clutch three-pointer late in the fourth.

But Ateneo quickly recovered behind a go-ahead triple from Kymani Ladi, followed by a free throw from Dom Escobar with 11 seconds remaining.

Ladi posted a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Waki Espina contributed 17 points.

Lingolingo led UE with 17 markers in the loss./ASC, WDJ