By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons weathered a furious comeback from the National University (NU) Bulldogs to escape with a 78-74 victory in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday night, October 22.

After a blistering 22-6 start in the opening quarter, the Fighting Maroons saw their lead dwindle as the Bulldogs clawed back to within 65-67 midway through the fourth period.

However, UP regained control down the stretch behind Negrense Harold Alarcon’s timely baskets, along with key inside points from Isagani Stevens and Jacob Bayla, to secure the hard-earned win.

The Negros Occidental’s Silay City native Alarcon led the Fighting Maroons with a season-high 24 points, while Rey Remogat and Reyland Torres chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, as UP improved to a 5-3 record.

Jake Figueroa paced NU with 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Paul Francisco and PJ Palacielo contributed 13 and 11 markers.

The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 5-2.

In the first game, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws leaned on two clutch three-pointers from Jorick Bautista in the final minute to pull off a 75-68 upset win over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.

Trailing 63-67, Luke Felipe and Janrey Pasaol scored back-to-back baskets to tie the game at 67-all before Bautista buried a triple to give FEU a 70-67 lead.

After Ateneo forward Dom Escobar split his free throws, Bautista struck again from deep to extend the Tamaraws’ cushion to 73-68 with 28.7 seconds left.

Bautista finished with a team-high 20 points, while rookie Kirby Mongcopa added 16.

Pasaol and Mo Konateh each recorded double-doubles — Pasaol with 15 points and 13 assists, and Konateh with 15 points and 17 rebounds — as FEU improved to 3-5.

Ateneo, meanwhile, fell to an even 4-4 record./ASC, WDJ