By NIKOLE JAVIER
Gerry Abadiano stepped up big time as University of the Philippines exacted sweet revenge over defending champion Ateneo, 65-60, in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday night, Oct. 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This time, the Fighting Maroons showed the discipline that netted them the title two years ago to beat the Eagles for the first time since the Game 1 of the Season 85 best-of-three finals series to rise 8-1 in the standings.
Abadiano led all scorers with 22 points, three rebounds and two assists before a mammoth and season-high 17,406 crowd.
Ateneo found itself trailing 54-42 in the fourth period but unleashed a vicious 12-0 attack to put the match at a deadlock capped by Jared Brown’s jumper with 6:02 remaining.
UP, however, regained regrouped just in time to avert a complete meltdown – big thanks to Harold Alarcon who sank a much-needed triple, 57-54.
Although the Blue Eagles gained some momentum at this point to pull themselves within just two on a huge Jason Credo and-1 play, the Fighting Maroons responded with back-to-back baskets to stay ahead.
With 42.9 seconds to go, Mason Amos returned to the floor for Ateneo and fired a three-pointer, 63-60, but Abadiano eventually iced the game with two freebies.
“Siguro it took a while din offensively. First quarter [we were tied], but defense namin it held up ‘yong Ateneo and we were more patient defensively and were really executing in the fourth quarter. At least nakabalik kami sa game,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Jared Brown paced Ateneo with 18 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting from deep, while Joseph Obasa tallied a double-double outing of 11 points and 16 rebounds.
The Blue Eagles absorbed another back-to-back losses as they hung tough with a 4-5 slate in the standings.
The scores:
UP 65 – Abadiano 22, Alarcon 10, Diouf 10, Lopez 10, Fortea 7, Felicilda 4, Torculas 2, Alter 0, Belmonte 0, Torres 0.
ATENEO 60 – Brown 18, Obasa 11, Amos 10, Quitevis 8, Ballungay 7, Credo 3, Espinosa 2, Chiu 1, Koon 0, Gomez 0, Tuano 0, Nieto 0, Lazaro 0, Celis 0.
Quarters: 11-11, 32-30, 49-39, 65-60.
