Pasaol powers Warriors over Maroons

MANILA, Philippines — With top gun Alvin Pasaol on target again, University of the East nipped skidding University of the Philippines, 73-64, to stay in the hunt for the UAAP Season 80 seniors basketball Final Four last night at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Pasaol, owner of the season’s highest output of 49, went on another scoring spree and outscored the entire starting five of UP (18), completing his heroics with 14 fourth-quarter points for a game-high 32 that secured the Warriors’ third win in 10 outings.

The Warriors, who had won three of their last four games, moved one victory behind the fifth-running Maroons and National U, which earlier drubbed University of Santo Tomas, 91-83, and two adrift idle No. 4 Far Eastern (5-5).

While Pasaol was making 11 of his 21 attempts, including five of nine from beyond the arc, to lead the offense, the Warriors put the cuffs on the trio of Paul Desiderio, Jun Manzo and Ibrahim Ouattara, the biggest thorn on UE’s side in its first round loss to UP. Desiderio struggled for eight markers while Manzo had seven points and Ouattara finished with two before fouling out.

“We did a great job defensively, containing Desiderio, Manzo and Ouattara,” said UE coach Derrick Pumaren.

Pasaol led the way in rebounding as well with 13 and had two steals as Mark Olayon (11) and Clark Derige (nine) also helped out in the crucial win.

“Until such time the fourth (F4) slot is taken, we still have a shot; we just have to stay positive, keep playing as a team,” said Pumaren.

Juan Gomez de Liano took scoring cudgels with 22 for UP, which lost five of its last six games.

Earlier, Issa Gaye and Matt Salem spearheaded an explosive second half charge as the Bulldogs posted an eight-point victory over the winless Tigers, 91-83.