UP averts upset from UE

BRIGHT Akhuetie scoring on a drive for UP, which beat UE, 62-56.

ANTIPOLO CITY – University of the Philippines weathered a furious University of the East rally to score a thrilling 62-56 win in Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the Ynares Center here.

Nigerian big man Bright Akhuetie shone the brightest with Javi Gomez de Llano providing support for the Fighting Maroons, who nearly fell prey to the giant-slaying ways of a UE side that was coming from an impressive victory over De La Salle University.

Akhuetie pumped in 16 points, five rebounds and three steals while Gomez de Llano had 15 markers to underscore UP’s well-balanced offense that earned it a fourth win in five games.

Coach Bo Perasol said they focused on their defense, especially in preventing hot-shooting swingman Rey Suerte from doing damage on both ends of the floor.

“Our intention was to really limit their output because they are the top team when it comes to fastbreak points,” said Perasol, giving credit to the gallant performance of Jaydee Tungcab who hit a dagger trey in the crucial stretch.

“We had a lot of lapses, but it was Jaydee Tungcab who saved us.”

After controlling much of the first half, UP found itself in trouble when it scored only seven markers in the third quarter.

The Red Warriors threatened to pull off another upset when 6-foot-9 Senegalese slotman Alex Diakhite hit a hook shot over Akhuetie to inch closer, 51-53.

But Kobe Paras knocked down a pair of charities before Tungcab drilled a crucial trey to put the Fighting Maroons out of harm’s way, 60-56, in the final 1:30.

Diakhite registered 21 points and 17 rebounds for UE, which suffered its fourth loss in five matches.

Meanwhile, reigning champion Ateneo de Manila University seeks to remain unbeaten when it battles winless – but very dangerous – National University Sunday at the same venue.

Action fires off at 2 p.m. right before the 4 p.m. collision between wounded University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Far Eastern University (FEU).

After posting back-to-back wins, the Tigers crashed back to earth following a sorry loss to the Blue Eagles before rebounding with an emphatic win over the Bulldogs.

But against Adamson University, UST lost, 71-78, despite the 17 points and 15 rebounds of Beninese rookie Soulemane Chabi Yo.

Still, the spotlight is on the Blue Eagles.

After racing to three straight wins, Ateneo flexed its muscle as it dominated FEU, 63-46, last week.

In that game, Ivorian slotman Ange Kouame tallied 14 points and 12 rebounds while Adrian Wong and Thirdy Ravena registered 14 and 13 points, respectively, in a well-balanced offense that left the Tamaraws guessing from start to finish.

Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin admitted that he likes what he’s seeing, but they still have a big room for improvement heading into the crucial stretch of the first round.

“It’s not really a break for us because we have a lot of issues. We have to resolve system-wise, so we will be practicing. It’s going to be sort of business as usual for us,” said Baldwin, who is often mentioned whenever conversation shifts to whom will serve as the next mentor of Gilas Pilipinas.

“It’s going to be, you know, looking at our offense and trying to figure out how we can create the highest percentage shots that we can get.”

NU, on the other hand, has yet to barge into the win column, but is still considered as a very dangerous team.

In fact, three out of their four losses was decided in the final 20 seconds, making them capable of emerging as the first team to dent the immaculate slate of the mighty Eagles.

“They’re a dangerous team,” Baldwin said. “We better be ready.”