The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) opened its campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 men’s basketball tournament with a win against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 72-69, on Oct. 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

DLSU controlled the early part of the game and was ahead by 10 points late in the second quarter, but the UPMBT slowly came back in the second half and was able to snatch the lead, 60-57, on an and-one basket by Brix Ramos at the 6:00 mark of the final period.

The UPMBT seemed to coast for a sure victory through Rookie of the Year Carl Tamayo’s step back jumper and James Spencer’s layup that gave UP its biggest lead in the game, 70-64, with 16 seconds to go.

However, DLSU’s Michael Phillips cut the UPMBT’s lead to four, 70-66, with 12.2 seconds left after doing a put-back coming from a missed shot by teammate Deschon Winston. The UPMBT then committed a turnover on an inbound pass that resulted in Evan Nelle’s three-point shot, pushing the Green Archers within a point, 70-69, with six seconds to play.

Tamayo, who was then sent to the free throw line on a duty foul by Nelle, calmly sank his two free throws. The Green Archers still had a chance to steal the victory, but Nelle lost control of the ball as time expired, sealing the game for UP.

The UPMBT was led by Tamayo with 18 points, 19 rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Meanwhile, Terrence Fortea stepped up in the absence of UP’s main floor general JD Cagulangan by scoring 15 points, dishing out nine assists, and grabbing five rebounds. Malick Diouf also had a great game for UP contributing nine points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks. The Fighting Maroons will face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Oct. 5, 1 p.m., at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.