The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) notched its second win in the Season 85 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ men’s basketball tournament by defeating Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons in an overtime game, 87-78, on Oct. 5 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The UPMBT had a sluggish start and was down by 16 points, 47-31, at the end of the first half.

In the third quarter of the game, the UPMBT had a 21-2 run, anchored in a suffocating defense, that gave them a three-point lead, 52-49, at the 3:46 mark of the third frame.

However, the Soaring Falcons, led by Jerom Lastimosa, reclaimed the upper hand, 62-58, going into the final canto of the game.

The two teams then had a seesaw battle until UPMBT’s Malick Diouf converted an under goal stab and split his free throws in the subsequent play. This gave the Fighting Maroons a three-point lead, 74-71, with 1:10 remaining.

The UPMBT was nearing its definite victory until AdU’s Joem Sabandal, with just 0.1 seconds left, was fouled by James Spencer from beyond the arc. Sabandal then buried all his three free throws to send the game into an overtime.

The UPMBT cruised to an eight-point lead, 82-74, courtesy of the three-pointers by Spencer and Terrence Fortea, and a slam dunk by Diouf, with 2:28 to go. In the ensuing play, Soaring Falcon’s Vince Magbuhos converted a basket to cut UP’s lead to six, 82-76, still with a minute and 43 seconds left to play. The Fighting Maroons then answered with five straight points courtesy of another dunk by Diouf and a three-point shot by Harold Alarcon to give UP its second win in the season.

Zavier Lucero led UP with 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Diouf had a double-double performance, scoring 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Fortea contributed 12 points and five assists, while Carl Tamayo chipped in 11 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.

UP’s next game is against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Oct. 8, 4 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.