Maroons back on track

Falcons check own slide versus Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines hung tough against pesky University of the East, 78-75, to regain its winning ways and keep hold of second spot in the 82nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament last night at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Bright Akhuetie churned out 18 points and 14 rebounds while previously struggling guard Jun Manzo broke out with 17 markers and five assists to lead the way for the Fighting Maroons who recovered from a wasted 19-point lead to notch their sixth win in nine outings.

“We’re not going to celebrate but it’s our sixth win. At least, we got a little distance from the nearest team behind us in UST which we’ll be facing next,” said deputy Ricky Dandan who called the shots for UP on the suspension of coach Bo Perasol.

Bent on ending its two-game slide, UP got off to a 25-6 start but still needed effort to fend off the scorching endgame rally of UE which even moved to within 67-69.

Earlier, Adamson went berserk in the closing quarter and snapped a four-game losing streak with a 72-53 demolition of National U.

The Falcons broke loose from a one-point edge at the start of the fourth period on a massive attack by Jerrick Ahanmisi, Ap Manlapaz, Simon Camacho, Lenda Douanga and Jerom Lastimosa.

With main gun Val Chauca hobbled by a sore hamstring injury, Ahanmisi led the way with 15 points on three triples as the Soaring Falcons  overcame a struggle through the first three periods.

Rookie Manlapaz (14), Camacho (13), Douanga (11) and Lastimosa (10) shared the load with Ahanmisi as Adamson pummeled NU, 24-6, in the final canto and closed in on the middle-of-the-pack teams with a 4-6 slate. Santo Tomas is at third at 5-4 followed by La Salle at 4-4.