The UP Fighting Maroons scored its second win in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) Season 84 men’s basketball tournament by beating the National University Bulldogs, 80-70, on March 31, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The two teams battled it out in the first three quarters of the game. At the end of the third frame, UP was up by two points, 55-53.

The Fighting Maroons opened the final quarter with a 13-2 run, increasing their lead to 13 points, 68-55 at the 6:16 mark of the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs, however, made a counter-run to keep them within striking distance and narrowing UP’s lead to six, 69-63. 

UP then answered through a jumper by Zavier Lucero and a corner three-pointer by CJ Cansino to give the Fighting Maroons an 11 point-lead, 74-63, with 3:10 left in the game. 

UP and NU exchanged baskets in the ensuing plays, but a reverse layup by Carl Tamayo pushed the Fighting Maroons’ lead to 12, 80-68, with one minute and three seconds left in the ball game. Tamayo’s basket sealed UP’s second win.

The Fighting Maroons was led again by Ricci Rivero with 19 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Joel Cagulangan had another all-around performance, scoring nine points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing six assists. Tamayo contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, while Cansino and Terrence Fortea contributed eight points each.

Rivero’s sterling performance earned him the PSBankable Player of the Game award. UP’s next game is against the University of the East Red Warriors on April 1, Saturday, at 1 p.m.