By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bacolodnon Manuel Luis Pablo rose to the occasion as the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers outlasted the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 72-69, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, October 19.

Pablo delivered a career-high 16 points, showcasing his poise and versatility on both ends as the Green Archers improved to a 4-3 record.

The former NCAA Juniors MVP winner found solid support from Michael Phillips, Jacob Cortez and Elaijah Gollena, who each finished with 12 points for the Green Archers.

DLSU knotted the score at 69-all after Earl Abadam’s late jumper and three-pointer before they surged ahead at 71-69 following a timely putback by Vhoris Marasigan.

Following a missed attempt by the Fighting Maroons, Phillips split his free throws to make it 72-69 before the Archers locked down defensively to deny UP its last-second three-point shot.

Bacolodnon Harold Alarcon led UP with 13 points.

Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano, Francis Nnoruka and Terrence Fortea contributed 12 apiece.

The Fighting Maroons slipped to 4-3.

In the day’s opener, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws (2-5) leaned on a balanced attack to cruise past the struggling University of the East Red Warriors (0-7), 95-76.

The Tamaraws built a 20-point lead entering the final quarter and never looked back.

Jorick Bautista paced FEU with 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Janrey Pasaol added 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Despite another strong outing from Precious Momowei, who tallied 23 points and 11 rebounds, the Red Warriors closed the first round of eliminations winless./ASC, WDJ