Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
CARL Tamayo led defending champion University of the Philippines (UP) to a 72-69 win over De La Salle University on Saturday in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Tamayo, last season’s Finals MVP and Mythical Team member, came up big with a double-double of 18 points and 19 rebounds on top of two assists and two steals to secure the victory and a good start for the Fighting Maroons’ title defense.
“Actually, I just felt our defense picked up, especially in the third quarter. Our defensive improvement was really huge,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
The 6-foot-7 Tamayo showed resolve down the stretch, scoring with a jumper resulting in a 68-64 lead for UP with 1:17 remaining.
He then sank two clutch free throws to mitigate Evan Nelle’s triple, 72-69, in the last four seconds.
UP’s defense forced Nelle to turn the ball over as the Fighting Maroons escaped the Green Archers, same rivals they booted out in last season’s semifinals.
Terrence Fortea notched 15 points, nine assists and five rebounds as he stepped up in the absence of UP’s star point guard JD Cagulangan, who was still recovering from a muscle injury.
Malick Diouf posted nine points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
Schonny Winston registered 27 points, three steals, two rebounds and two assists for the Green Archers.
Mike Phillips shone with 20 huge rebounds on top of eight points and four blocks.
Nelle logged nine markers, five dimes and four boards.
Meanwhile, Nic Cabañero fired a career-best 33 points to lead the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to a 69-60 opening win over Adamson University.
Cabañero, who shot an efficient 13-of-18 clip, also scored four points in the last 1:10, including the two free throws that sealed the win for the Growling Tigers.
Cabañero, on top of his four assists and two rebounds, has equaled Marvin Lee’s Oct. 28, 2018 feat of scoring at least 30 points during UST’s 79-68 win over University of the East.
Adama Faye contributed six points, 15 rebounds and two blocks for the Growling Tigers.
Lenda Dounga led the Soaring Falcons with 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Joshua Yerro notched 13 markers.
The scores:
UP 72 — Tamayo 18, Fortea 15, Diouf 9, Spencer 8, Lucero 7, Gonzales 7, Alarcon 5, Ramos 3, Abadiano 0, Galinato 0, Torculas 0, Eusebio 0, Lina 0, Calimag 0.
LA SALLE 69 — Winston 27, Nelle 9, M. Phillips 8, Nonoy 8, Quiambao 5, Austria 4, Manuel 4, Nwankwo 2, Macalalag 2, B. Phillips 0.
Quarters: 16-17, 34-42, 50-54, 72-69.
UST 69 — Cabanero 33, Manaytay 7, Faye 6, Pangilinan 6, Mantes 5, Mantua 4, Calimag 3, Duremdes 2, Herrera 2, Manalang 1, Lazarte 0, Magdangal 0, Laure 0.
ADAMSON 60 — Douanga 13, Yerro 13, Lastimosa 10, Hanapi 10, Sabandal 9, V. Magbuhos 3, Barcelona 2, Colonia 0, Manzano 0, Flowers 0, Barasi 0, Torres 0, Manlapaz 0, Jaymalin 0.
Quarters: 23-18, 42-38, 48-42, 69-60. Niel Victor C. Masoy