The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) scored another win by holding off the gritty Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 73-67, in season 85 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament on Oct. 8 at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The UPMBT had a hot start, building a 23-10 advantage at the end of the first period. The Tamaraws then fought back, slowly erasing UPMBT’s lead and eventually taking the upper hand, 60-57, going into the final canto.

Led by Carl Tamayo and Zavier Lucero, the UPMBT unleashed a 7-0 run to regain the lead, 64-60, with eight minutes and 12 seconds left to play. In the dying minutes, Tamayo buried back-to-back jumpers to give the UPMBT a separation they needed, 70-65, at the 2:05 mark of the final frame.

In the next FEU possession, LJ Gonzales converted a layup and drew an unsportsmanlike foul from UPMBT’s Harold Alarcon, slashing UP’s lead to three, 70-67, with 50.1 seconds left. Gonzales missed his bonus free throw and the Tamaraws also failed to capitalize on their extra ball possession.

In the ensuing play, UP’s Terrence Fortea drew a foul from FEU’s Kyle Baustista. Fortea then calmly sank his two free-throws to give UPMBT a five-point advantage, 72-67.

The Fighting Maroons then put up a good defense as FEU’s Cholo Añonuevo’s pass went wild, sealing UPMBT’s third straight win.

Fortea led the Fighting Maroons with 17 points, shooting five-of-five from the three-point territory, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Tamayo also came up with a big performance scoring 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Malick Diouf and Lucero chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

UPMBT will take on the National University Bulldogs on Oct. 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.