By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
A “SHORED-UP” University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons swung back to winning in Season 82 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, beating the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 83-82, in overtime on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Absorbed their first defeat last time around, the Maroons (2-1), who finally welcomed Kobe Paras in their fold after sitting out their first two games because of injury, avoided losing two in a row with a gutsy win over the Falcons (2-2), who saw their two-game ascent halted.
Earlier in the day, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers also got back to winning, outlasting the National University Bulldogs, 87-74, in overtime.
Dave Murrell and Paras got UP to a strong start with their hustle and shot making in the paint.
But Adamson managed to get its footing and made a run, led by Lenda Dounga.
When the opening-quarter smoke cleared, the Falcons were on top,20-18.
The two teams struggled with their offense to start the second frame until Val Chauca stopped the drought at the eight-minute mark to make it 22-18 for Adamson.
The Falcons continued to soar after that, outscoring the Maroons, 6-4, in the next three minutes to stretch their lead, 28-22, at the midway point of the second quarter.
It was all Adamson the rest of the way as it sped to 41-25 advantage at the break.
UP narrowed the gap in the third quarter as it opened with a 16-3 run in the first five minutes, led by Noah Webb and Juan Gomez De Liano, to make it a 44-41 affair.
Jerrick Ahanminsi stopped the bleeding for Adamson with a deuce but Paras answered back with four straight points to push UP to within a point, 46-45, with 3:30 to go in the frame.
UP finished the frame with a 7-4 blitz to complete the turnaround in the quarter and go on top, 52-50.
The teams jostled to start the fourth quarter.
It was a tied count at 64-all with 4:23 to go.
Adamson held a narrow one-point lead, 69-68, heading into the last two minutes.
Adrian Manlapaz made it a three-point cushion, 71-68, with a basket in the paint.
UP sued for time after to set up a play.
Bright Akhuetie drained a deuce off a putback to push the Maroons to within a point, 71-70, with 1:24 on the clock.
Two free throws by Jerom Lastimosa with a minute to go pushed the Falcons to a three-point lead, 73-70.
But Javi Gomez De Liano drained a game-tying triple with 17 seconds left to make it 73-all.
The Falcons set up a play for the win but Chauca’s three-point heave failed to connect, sending the game to overtime.
Adrian Manlapaz provided a spark for Adamson in OT, helping his team to an 82-75 lead with 2:22 to play.
The Maroons came to within a point, 82-81, with 30 ticks left.
UP got the ball back off an Adamson turnover.
It got further break as Akhuetie was fouled with 2.8 seconds remaining.
The UP big man made his free throws to make it 83-82 for his team.
Adamson called time out after.
But no salvage work would be completed by the Falcons as UP held on for the win.
Paras led UP with 20 points followed by Akhuetie with 18 and Juan Gomez De Liano with 12.
Chauca, meanwhile, paced Adamson with 21 markers with Manlapaz chipping in 17 points.
