By CARLO ANOLIN
Zavier Lucero put on a big show in the final half, helping the University of the Philippines score a lopsided 98-82 win against University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 84 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Tuesday night.
Lucero, a former Cal State Maritime Academy standout, scored eight of his 18 points in the third period as the Maroons bounced back from a 90-81 defeat to defending champion Ateneo in the opener on Saturday.
Ricci Rivero topscored for the Maroon with 19 points, including seven free throws with three rebounds but it was the all-around game of Lucero that made the difference.
He finished with an efficient 9-of-14 shooting to go with eight rebounds and three steals.
Also delivering for UP were Carl Tamayo, who posted 18 points and eight rebounds, and James Spencer, who added 11 points, including three pivotal triples, and four rebounds.
CJ Cansino had seven points and five rebounds in his first game against his former squad.
Sherwin Concepcion paced the Tigers with 19 points, including six triples with five rebounds, Joshua Fontanilla chalked up 17 points and five rebounds, and Nic Cabañero had 16 points and four rebounds.
Meantime, the duo of Mark Nonoy and Justine Baltazar provided the much-needed spark as La Salle got away with a 59-55 win over National University.
Mark Nonoy, who missed the opening day’s game due to hamstring injury and a transferee from UST, came off the bench to score 13 points, including three triples while Justine Baltazar also had 13 points with seven rebounds and three assists.
Cyrus Austria, who was also De La Salle’s key cog in the third period, added 10 points on top of two three-pointers.
Third Game
LA SALLE 59 ˗ Nonoy 13, Baltazar 13, Austria 10, Lojera 7, Manuel 6, Nelle 5, M. Phillips 3, Winston 2, Nwankwo 0, B. Phillips 0, Cuajao 0, Cortez 0, Macalalag 0.
NU 55 — Malonzo 10, Joson 9, Figueroa 9, Clemente 9, Mahinay 6, Enriquez 4, Tibayan 4, Gaye 2, Felicilda 2, Galinato 0, Ildefonso 0, Torres 0, Yu 0, Manansala 0, Minerva 0.
Quarters: 19-16, 29-30, 42-43, 59-55.
Fourth Game
UP 98 – Rivero 19, Lucero 18, Tamayo 18, Spencer 11, Cansino 7, Cagulangan 6, Catapusan 6, Diouf 6, Alarcon 5, Abadiano 2, Eusebio 0, Lina 0, Ramos 0, Calimag 0.
UST 82 – Concepcion 19, Fontanilla 17, Cabanero 16, Pangilinan 13, Manalang 7, Santos 6, Manaytay 4, Ando 0, Gomez de Liano 0, Garing 0, Mantua 0, Samudio 0, Yongco 0, Herrera 0.
Quarters: 16-25, 42-48, 78-63, 98-82.
