The UP Fighting Maroons continued its winning streak by edging out the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 73-70, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 men’s basketball tournament on April 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Ricci Rivero, who made four triples in the game, led the Fighting Maroons with 19 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Rivero’s performance earned him the best player of the game award. Carl Tamayo contributed 14 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two assists, while CJ Cansino chipped in 12 points and four rebounds.

It was a close game from the get-go, with the Tamaraws getting the upper hand, 37-34, at the end of the second quarter. The Fighting Maroons then regained their composure and controlled the game in the late part of the third frame and eventually took the lead, 57-54, going into the final canto.

It was a see-saw battle between the two teams in the payoff period. With 70 score apiece, UP’s Zavier Lucero scored on a baseline jumper to give the Fighting Maroons a 72-70 advantage at the 1:26 mark of the game. Maodo Diouf then split his free throws to stretch UP’s lead to three points, 73-70, with 29.2 seconds left.

In the ensuing play, Tamaraw’s RJ Abarrientos missed a three-point attempt, forcing his teammate Ximone Sandagon to foul UP’s Harold Alarcon to stop the clock. With 5.9 seconds left, Alarcon muffed his two free throws giving FEU the chance to send the game to overtime, but Abarrientos’ final attempt hit the board as time expired. With the win, UP is in solo-second in the team standings with an 8-1 record. UP’s next game against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons is on April 21, 4:30 p.m.