The UP Fighting Maroons opened the second round with a win against the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 84-76, in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) Season 84 men’s basketball tournament on April 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Rookie Carl Tamayo had a breakout game, leading UP with 21 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, three blocks, and two assists. The Fighting Maroons swept the Bulldogs this season and stretched their winning streak to seven.

Led by Tamayo, Zavier Lucero, and Ricci Rivero, UP started strong in the game and had the upper hand, 42-35, coming into the second half of the game.

The Bulldogs, however, came out strong in the third quarter and were just down by four points, 58-62, going into the game’s final quarter.

The two battled it out at the early goings of the last quarter until NU’s John Lloyd Clemente scored a triple to push the Bulldogs within striking distance, 66-68, at the 6:30 mark of the game.

The Fighting Maroons then regained control and made a 14-2 run, highlighted by Lucero’s twisting jump shot, to increase their lead, 80-68, with a minute and 25 seconds left in the game.

NU’s Reyland Torres and Michael Malonzo scored back-to-back triples and free throws, respectively, to cut down UP’s lead to six points, 76-82, with 32.4 seconds left in the game. But UP’s Terrence Fortea sank his two free throws on a duty foul by an NU player, sealing the victory for the Fighting Maroons. 

UP outscored NU in the starter point production, 61-40, while the Bulldogs had a 35-24 advantage in the bench point scoring.

Lucero and Rivero chipped in 16 points apiece, while Joel Cagulangan had another masterful game scoring seven points, eight assists, three rebounds, and a steal for UP. Meanwhile, Tamayo’s impressive performance earned him the best player of the game award.UP’s next assignment against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws is on April 19, 10 a.m.