UP spoils Jerom Lastimosa's return for Adamson; FEU's LJay Gonzales delivers game-winner vs. Ateneo

University of the Philippines spoiled the return of Adamson University's Jerom Lastimosa as it bounced back on Wednesday, 77-51, in the opening day of the second round of UAAP Season 86 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After leading just by six points, 17-11, at the end of the first frame, the Fighting Maroons pulled away in the second quarter as they outscored the Soaring Falcons, 23-9, to end the first half with the advantage, 40-20. This was enough to give the Diliman-based squad control of the game until the final buzzer.

Lastimosa made his Season 86 debut for the San Marcelino crew and tallied three points, two rebounds, and one block in 8:18 of action. However, he was escorted back to the dugout in the 5:19 mark of the third period after hitting knees with Gerry Abadiano while attempting a behind-the-back dribble.

Malick Diouf registered a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds while Reyland Torres chipped in 12 points as UP improved to 7-1, while Adamson went down to 3-5.

Prior to this, Far Eastern University's LJay Gonzales drilled the game-winning triple to deny Ateneo de Manila University's fightback and escape with a 62-59 victory.

With the game tied at 59 with 3.9 ticks left, inbounding Kai Ballungay's football pass went straight out of bounds. 

As FEU had the ball, Gonzales received the inbound pass from Xyrus Torres at the top of the key, leaned in to avoid Chris Koon, then drilled the one-handed triple for the win.

Gonzales had a game-high output of 19 points, on top of nine boards, five assists, and four steals as the Tamaraws improved to 3-5. Ateneo, on the other hand, slipped to 4-4.

Earlier, De La Salle University (5-3) manhandled University of Santo Tomas (1-7), 100-69, while National University (7-1) took down University of the East (2-6), 64-61.

UAAP action will return on Saturday as UE takes on UST while La Salle will face NU at the same venue.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News