Gerry Abadiano drops 22 as UP exacts revenge on Ateneo

Gerry Abadiano dropped 22 points as the University of the Philippines avenged its first round loss against Ateneo de Manila University, 65-60, on Sunday in UAAP Season 86 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Abadiano had three rebounds, two assists, and one steal on top of his career-high in scoring.

Ateneo had a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 54 before Harold Alarcon broke the ice for UP with a triple and reclaim the lead, 57-54. Abadiano widened UP's lead to five before a Jason Credo three-point play cut Ateneo's deficit to two.

Mason Amos then hit a triple after Francis Lopez and Harold Alarcon's shots to trim the Blue Eagles' deficit to three, 63-60. Joseph Obasa went inside the paint and missed his shot, but Abadiano's freebies sealed the deal for UP.

Malick Diouf registered a double-double with 10 points and 17 rebounds, while Lopez and Alarcon had 10 points apiece.

Jared Brown paced the Katipunan-based squad with 18 points, while Obasa had 11 points and 16 rebounds.

With the win, UP improved to 8-1, while Ateneo dropped to 4-5. 

Earlier, Adamson University (4-5) defeated Far Eastern University (3-6), 63-54.

UAAP action will return on Saturday with Adamson taking on University of Santo Tomas, while Ateneo will go against NU at the Mall of Asia Arena.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News