Kobe Paras makes 20 as UP overcomes Adamson in OT, 83-82

The UP Fighting Maroons are back in the winning track after escaping the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 83-82, Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With 2:22 left in the game, a goaltending call on Javi Gomez de Liaño gave Adamson a comfortable lead, 82-75. However, turnovers marred Adamson in the remaining minutes of the game, giving the Diliman-based squad an advantage to steal the game.

Bright Akhuetie made two from the line 82-77, with 1:24 left to start a run for the Maroons. Kobe Paras and Jun Manzo made baskets late in the stretch to eventually take the lead, 82-81. Akhuetie then sank two freebies after a Lenda Douanga foul at the 2.8 mark to seal the deal for the Fighting Maroons.

Paras led the Maroons with 20 points and six rebounds in his debut game, while Akhuetie registered a double-double performance, 18 points and 18 rebounds.

With the win, the Fighting Maroons now hold a 2-1 win-loss record, while the Soaring Falcons are at 2-2.

Earlier in the day, the UST Growling Tigers drubbed the NU Bulldogs in overtime as well, 87-74.

The Tigers stormed the Bulldogs in the extra five minutes of the game, making 17 against NU's 4, after being tied at 70. Rhenz Abando listed 21 points while bigman Soulemane Chabiyo made 23 points and 20 rebounds. — DVM, GMA News