UP downs Ateneo to inch closer to second straight title

The University of the Philippines took down Ateneo de Manila University, 72-66, to inch closer to a second straight title in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 85 Finals on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Blue Eagles were able to reduce their deficit to five, 70-65, with 2:11 left before free throws sealed the win for the Diliman-based squad.

In front of a crowd 18, 211, UP moved to within a win of clinching another title should they take Game 2 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Zav Lucero registered a double-double performance of 14 points and 11 rebounds on top of two assists.

Malick Diouf flirted with a double-double of nine points and 10 rebounds, while JD Cagulangan and Harold Alarcon with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Ange Kouame posted a double-double for the Katipunan-based squad with 15 points and 10 rebounds in 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