Coming off from the Holy Week break, the Fighting Maroons started slow in the first half as the Tamaraws gained control with a three-point lead, 37-34.

But UP proved that they are just warming up and trying to read the game as Cj Cansino fired all of his 12 points in the third quarter alone, stealing the control of the game.

With the win, UP climbed to 8-1 as Zavier Lucero scored a basket to tie the game at 70-all and followed by Malick Diouf’s three-pointer to give UP the lead, 73-70, with 29.2 ticks left. 

Rj Abarentos of FEU tried to score for an overtime with his overthrows but failed to do so, thereby leading the Tamaraws to a 3-6 slate. 

Ricci Rivero paced the Fighting Maroons as he drilled with a game-high 19 points and five rebounds, while Carl Tamayo delivered 14 points, six boards, three blocks, and two dimes. 

Emman Ojuola led FEU with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks, as L-Jay Gonzales got 13 points, four boards, and two steals, while Abarrientos scored 13 points. 

The Scores:

UP 73 – Rivero 19, Tamayo 14, Cansino 12, Alarcon 8, Lucero 7, Diouf 7, Cagulangan 3, Fortea 3, Webb 0, Abadiano 0, Spencer 0, Calimag 0, Catapusan 0.

FEU 70 – Ojuola 16, Abarrientos 13, Gonzales 13, Torres 9, Sandagon 6, Tempra 5, Alforque 3, Bienes 3, Li 2, Coquia 0, Sajonia 0.

Quarters: 16-17, 34-37, 57-54, 73-70.