The UP Fighting Maroons survived the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons’ last-ditch effort, 73-71, in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) Season 84 men’s basketball tournament on April 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Soaring Falcons controlled the first 10 minutes of the game and was ahead by nine points, 22-13, at the end of the first quarter. The Fighting Maroons then stepped up the tempo in the second frame by unleashing a 26-15 run to even the score, 39-39, going into the third canto of the game.
![](https://upd.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lucero-1600x1068.jpg)
It was a close battle between UP and AdU all throughout the second half until a three-point shot by Ricci Rivero gave UP breathing room, increasing its lead by seven points, 73-66, with one minute and 31 seconds left in the game. The AdU however mounted a 5-0 run courtesy of a three-point shot by Ahmad Hanapi and a lay-up by Joshua Yerro, to cut UP’s margin to a single basket, 73-71, with 31.4 seconds remaining.
Rivero then missed his three-point attempt in the next Fighting Maroons possession, giving the Soaring Falcons a chance to steal the game. Jerom Lastimosa, however, also missed his triple attempt as the clock expired to give UP its fourth straight win.
![](https://upd.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/up-vs-adu-2022-1600x1066.jpg)
Zavier Lucero continued to display his all-around game for the Fighting Maroons. He paced UP with 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Maodo Diouf had a double-double performance, scoring 16 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, while Carl Tamayo, Rivero, and CJ Cansino added 11, 10, and 9 points, respectively. UP’s next game against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers is on April 7, Thursday, 10 a.m. UP and DLSU have an identical 4-1 win-loss record.