MANILA – The University of the East (UE) Red Warriors welcomed back Pari Llagas with a much-needed win at the expense of the Adamson University (AdU) Falcons, 60-56, during Sunday’s 72nd University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men's baskteball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Llagas returned from a one-game suspension with another double-double performance to the tune of 10 points and 10 rebounds spiked by two blocks to help UE get back into the win column.

The Warriors climbed back from a 14-point hole, 13-27, behind Llagas’ third quarter outburst.

Llagas, who missed UE’s 75-80 loss to Ateneo last Thursday, poured in eight of his total points in the pivotal third quarter where the Red Warriors tied the contest at 43-all.

Elmer Espiritu and Val Acuna took over in the payoff period to turn back the Falcons.

Espiritu ignited the Red Warriors’ finishing salvo with an alley-oop jam at the 8:52 mark of the payoff period as they took the lead for good, 48-45.

After missing his first six attempts, Val Acuna buried a crucial three-pointer from deep corner to push UE’s lead to six, 59-53, 1:10 remaining. 

“We just need this win badly dahil very tight sa team standings (below Ateneo and FEU).  Elmer (Espiritu) alley oop dunk was in our playbook.  It was the same we play we ran in our last game against FEU.  That play could have tied the game but he lost the handle.  Luckily today, we executed perfectly and that turned the game around for us,” said a reminiscent UE Coach Lawrence Chongson.

The win gave UE a 5-4 record, half a game ahead of University of Sto. Tomas and De La Salle University, which are tied at 4-4.

Espiritu preserved Llagas’s third quarter brilliance with his third 20-point game this season while adding a season-high six blocks to pace the Red Warriors.

The loss brought Adamson back in the cellar with its seventh setback against two wins. Alder T. Almo

The Scores:

UE 60 – Espiritu 20, Llagas 10, Lee 8, Acuna 7, Tagarda 4, Reyes 4, Alabanza 3, Zamar 2, Lingganay 2, Sumido 0, Duran 0, Bandaying 0.

AdU 56 – Alvarez 14, Lozada 11, Canada 8, Nuyles 7, Galinato 4, Colina 4, Canuday 4, Camson 2, Basillio 2, Margallo 0, Cabrera 0.

Quarters: 13-20, 27-29, 43-43, 60-56.

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