The UP Fighting Maroons earned its first win in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) Season 84 men’s basketball tournament by defeating the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 98-82, on Tuesday, March 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

UP had a good start, establishing a 7-3 lead. But the Growling Tigers countered with five three-pointers, ending the first quarter with a nine—point lead at 25-16. In the second quarter, with improved defense and ball distribution, the Maroons was able to cut down UST’s lead 48-42.

The Fighting Maroons then put on a show in the second half of the game led by Zavier Lucero. The new recruit Lucero, who came in from the bench, sparked the Fighting Maroons’ 17-1 assault, putting UP on top, 55-49, with seven minutes and 27 seconds left in the third quarter. UP continued its dominance by scoring 36 points in the third quarter, to establish a 15-point lead, 78-63, going into the final canto of the game.

With a dominating fashion in the second half of the game, UP’s lead ballooned to 21, 88-67, off a layup by Ricci Rivero at the 6:51 mark of the fourth quarter.

Rivero led UP with 19 points, three rebounds and two assists. Lucero, who had a breakout game, had 18 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Joel Cagulangan also had an all-around performance for the Fighting Maroons, scoring six points, dishing 9 assists, and registering five steals.

Carl Tamayo also chipped 18 points and eight rebounds, while James Spencer scored 11 points, and CJ Cansino scored seven points and collared five rebounds. The Fighting Maroons’ next game against the National University Bulldogs is on March 31, Thursday, at 4 p.m.