The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) squeaked past the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles in an overtime, 76-71, on Oct. 16 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

This came after tasting defeat from the National University (NU) Bulldogs last Oct. 12 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.

It was a back-and-forth affair for the two teams in the first three quarters with ADMU ahead by one point, 53-54, going into the game’s fourth period.

In the payoff period, the Fighting Maroons pounced on the error the Blue Eagles committed. James Spencer made a three-point shot to take the upper hand, 63-56, with seven minutes and 42 seconds left to play.

ADMU, however, made a 7-1 counter-run capped by Forthsky Padrigao’s three-point shot to even the score, 64-64. This eventually sent the game to an extra five minutes.

As the score tied at 66 in the overtime period, UPMBT’s Malick Diouf stole the ball from ADMU’s Ange Kouame and scored on a two-handed slam dunk to give the Fighting Maroons a two-point advantage, 68-66, with 2:19 left.

In the ensuing play, Kouame was called for a goaltending violation on an undergoal stab by Tamayo who was also fouled by Kouame’s teammate, Bryson Ballungay. Tamayo sank his free throw to give the Fighting Maroons a badly needed separation from the gritty Blue Eagles, 71-66, with 1:47 remaining.

Padrigao then made two free throws to push the Blue Eagles within three points, 68-71. Diouf and Fortea then each converted a free throw to increase the UPMBT’s lead to five points, 73-68, with 32.1 seconds to go.

At the 23.4 mark of the extra period, Padrigao knocked down a three-pointer to push the Blue Eagles within striking distance, 71-73. However, Tamayo and Diouf sealed the UPMBT’s win with their free throw conversions, 76-71.

Tamayo paced the Fighting Maroons with a double-double performance, scoring 20 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. He was backstopped by Spencer with 14 points and six rebounds. Diouf and Zavier Lucero contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively. JD Cagulangan also played his first game for the season and had a splendid outing, scoring seven points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. The Fighting Maroons now have a 4-1 win-loss record and is tied with the NU Bulldogs at the top of the team standings. The UPMBT’s next game is against the University of the East Red Warriors on Oct. 19, 4:30 p.m., at the MOA Arena.