Pre takes charge in double-overtime as Maroons outlast Tigers to seize solo lead

MANILA, Philippines -- Veejay Pre scored 12 of his 30 points in the first and second overtime periods to carry University of the Philippines over University of Santo Tomas, 103-101, in their UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball clash Wednesday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Pre found a higher gear in the extra time as he led the Fighting Maroons to a sweep over UST. 

After his layup was answered by a layup by Koji Buenaflor to tie things up at 98-all in the second overtime, Pre hit a tough jumper to push UP for good. 

He then seconded it with a layup to give the FIghting Maroons a 102-98 lead. 

A split from the line by Kirk Canete, followed by a layup by Mark Llemit, towed UST to within one, 101-102, with 41.5 seconds to go. 

After misses by Rey Remogat on the other end, Canete rushed to the other end of the court, where he was stopped by Remogat. 

Pre ended the game with a split from the line. 

Amiel Acido tried to go for a touchdown pass, but James Payosing stole the ball as the clock ran out. 

Having led by 12 earlier in the third quarter, the Fighting Maroons trailed by seven, 65-72, heading to the fourth as UST kept its distance. 

But the Diliman-based squad erased the deficit and took a seven-point advantage of their own, 79-72, after a 14-0 run capped by an Elliot Dimaculangan trey with 4:12 left in regulation. 

The Tigers, though, clawed back and forced overtime thanks to a late deuce by Collins Akowe, 86-all. 

In the first overtime, UST took a 96-89 lead with 1:32 remaining thanks to free throws by Llemit and Canete. 

But a triple by Pre, a layup by Jacob Bayla, and a pair of freebies by Miguel Yniguez tied things up anew. 

Game-winning attempts by Pre and Bayla missed as time expired, giving way to another overtime. 

UP’s Chicco Briones added 14 markers off the bench while Remogat had 10. 

Llemit’s 33-point, four-rebound outing went down the drain for the Tigers. He committed seven turnovers and fouled out late in the game. Collins Akowe added 23 markers, 18 boards and three dimes, while Canete produced 16 points, five assists and four rebounds. 

UP rose to solo first with a 6-2 win-loss record, while UST dropped to a 4-4 slate.