The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons closed the UAAP’s opening round with their sixth straight victory after routing the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in an 83-76 last-minute crunch at the Mall of Asia Arena on April 9.
With a sluggish start, State U’s offense struggled to match the Tamaraws’ feisty charge. But a second frame rally from UP saw two ties and six lead changes between both squads, with FEU holding on to a one-point edge at halftime.
The maroon-and-white picked up the pace after the break as they seized control of the game to take a 58-50 lead in the third frame. Zav Lucero, who hit a career-best of 27 points in this match, scored 16 in this quarter alone.
The Tamaraws refused to surrender in the closing stretch as FEU charged for a late 9-0 run. But in another nail-biter finish, State U fired back-to-back baskets and a last-gasp three-point play to end UAAP Season 84’s opening round on a winning note.
UP’s ongoing win streak marks their longest unbeaten run in the competition since Season 67.
UP Men’s Basketball Team players Carl Tamayo and Zav Lucero, and head coach Goldwin Monteverde faced the press after their first round finale win over the FEU Tamaraws on April 9.
Behind Lucero’s career-best performance, Carl Tamayo and Ricci Rivero pitched major scoring contributions with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
For UP MBT head coach Goldwin Monteverde, instilling the fighting spirit within the team remains a top priority moving forward.
“It doesn’t matter kung ano yung standing namin, kung naka-ilang panalo na kami. Ang importante, every time we go out for a game ay talagang lahat [handang] lumaban,” Monteverde said.
Lucero also told TNP that their success is a result of their unwavering camaraderie as their bond continues to grow stronger.
The Fighting Maroons continue their hunt for the Final Four spot as they take on the fourth-seeded NU Bulldogs in the second round of play on April 12.
QUARTER SCORES: 14-18, 31-32, 58-50, 83-76