By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Harold Alarcon delivered the go-ahead jumper to lift the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons to a thrilling 89-88 victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament in Pasay City on Wednesday night, November 5.

The Growling Tigers held an 88-87 edge after Amiel Acido sank two free throws, but Alarcon responded with a clutch basket against the defense of Mark Llemit to put UP ahead for good.

UST had a chance to steal the win, but Acido missed two close-range attempts, and big man Collins Akowe committed a turnover in the final three seconds.

Alarcon led UP with 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Rey Remogat and Miguel Yñiguez added 19 and 11 points, respectively.

The win pushed the Fighting Maroons to solo second place with a 7-3 record.

Akowe powered UST with 26 points and 16 rebounds, while Nic Cabañero and Acido contributed 18 and 10 points, respectively, as the Tigers dropped to 5-5.

In the first game, Ateneo de Manila University finally ended its five-game losing skid with a 78-74 win over the struggling University of the East (UE) Red Warriors.

Divine Adili and Ian Espinosa came through in the clutch, sinking key baskets and free throws to help the Blue Eagles secure the victory in the final two minutes.

Kymani Ladi led Ateneo with 16 points and nine rebounds.

Adili and Espinosa chipped in 15 and 13 points, respectively, as the Blue Eagles improved to 5-5.

Precious Momowei’s 19-point, 18-rebound effort went to waste as UE suffered its 10th straight loss of the season./ASC, WDJ