Top rookie Carl Tamayo provided the telling blows down the stretch to lead defending champion University of the Philippines to the top of the leaderboard after a 73-67 win over Far Eastern University last night in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

While it was Terrence Fortea who led the way for UP with 17 points, it was still Tamayo who came up with the precious points when FEU attempted to stage a rally, drilling a jumper with time winding down over the outstretched arms of Cholo Anonuevo for a 68-64 advantage.

With 2:05 remaining, Tamayo struck anew against the very same defender, 70-65 with a little two minutes left.

An uncompleted three-point play by FEU's LJ Gonzales pushed the Tams within three, 70-67, but Fortea made two charities before Zavier Lucero made a defensive gem to force a jump ball possession in favor of the Maroons with just under 20 seconds left.

Tamayo's split at the line sealed the match.

Fortea had a 5-of-8 shooting clip including was a perfect 5-of-5 from beyond the arc.

Tamayo wound up with 16 points and hauled six rebounds while Malick Diouf posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Diliman-based squad.

Ace Sandagon paced FEU with 20 points, Gonzales and Patrick Sleat registered 11 each.

Meanwhile, Adamson University arrested a two-game skid and barged into the win column at the expense of University of the East, 74-61.

The Scores:

First game

ADAMSON (74) — Sabandal 16, Lastimosa 11, V. Magbuhos 9, Douanga 9, Manzano 6, Hanapi 6, Colonia 5, Yerro 4, Flowers 4, Torres 2, Barcelona 2, Jaymalin 0, Barasi 0, W. Magbuhos 0, Fuentebella 0.

UE (61) — Villegas 15, Payawal 12, K. Paranada 8, Pagsanjan 7, Sawat 7, Stevens 6, N. Paranada 4, Tulabut 2, Alcantara 0, Remogat 0, Antiporda 0, Beltran 0.

Quarters: 23-9, 38-31, 49-45, 74-61.

Second game

UP (73) — Fortea 17, Tamayo 16, Diouf 11, Lucero 10, Alarcon 8, Abadiano 7, Eusebio 2, Calimag 1, Torculas 1, Spencer 0, Ramos 0, Lina 0.

FEU (67) — Sandagon 20, Sleat 11, Gonzales 11, Anonuevo 9, Bautista 7, Torres 5, Alforque 2, Celzo 2, Tempra 0, Tchuente 0, Guibao 0.

Quarters: 10-23, 41-42, 57-60, 73-67.