The University of the Philippines took down Ateneo de Manila University, 72-66, to inch nearer to a second straight title in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 85 Finals on Sunday on the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blue Eagles had been in a position to scale back their deficit to 5, 70-65, with 2:11 left earlier than free throws sealed the win for the Diliman-based squad.
In entrance of a crowd 18, 211, UP moved to inside a win of clinching one other title ought to they take Game 2 on Wednesday on the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Zav Lucero registered a double-double efficiency of 14 factors and 11 rebounds on high of two assists.
Malick Diouf flirted with a double-double of 9 factors and 10 rebounds, whereas JD Cagulangan and Harold Alarcon with 12 and 11 factors, respectively.
Ange Kouame posted a double-double for the Katipunan-based squad with 15 factors and 10 rebounds within the loss.
The scores:
UP 72 – Lucero 14, Cagulangan 12, Alarcon 11, Diouf 9, Gonzales 8, Tamayo 7, Galinato 6, Spencer 5, Fortea 0, Abadiano 0.
Ateneo 66 – Padrigao 16, Kouame 15, Ildefonso 10, Andrade 10, Koon 9, Lazaro 3, Chiu 2, Gomez 1, Ballungay 0, Daves 0, Quitevis 0, Lao 0.
Quarters: 28-19, 42-35, 54-50, 72-66.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
