Games Thursday (Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. — La Salle vs NU
4 p.m. — Adamson vs Ateneo

After dropping its first three games, University of the Philippines was not given a chance – even a slim one – to beat defending champion Ateneo.

But the Maroons did the unthinkable on Sunday night, coming through with an incredible performance in the last 20 minutes to pull off an enthralling 68-58 win that revived their ambitious Final Four bid in the UAAP basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena.

Heroes came aplenty but it was Woody Co, the 2006 Rookie of the Year winner, who struck hardest for the Maroons. In the end, the Maroons succesfully handed the Eagles their first setback in four starts.

What made UP’s victory doubly significant was that it ended its losing jinx to Ateneo. The Maroons registered their last win over the Eagles in September of 2004 aside from snapping Ateneo’s 14-game winning streak dating back to last season.

In contrast, Ateneo’s chief rival, the La Salle Archers pulled off a gut-wrenching 64-63 overtime victory over Adamson in the first game.

The Archers improve their record to 2-2.

The 6-foot-5 Co knocked in all his three triples in the payoff period to finish with 15 points. He was ably supported by RP Youth standout Mark Lopez as the Maroons posted the biggest win so far in the league.

"We just wanted to show to Ateneo, the league and ourselves that we have discipline," said head coach Aboy Castro.

"Coming off a loss (to La Salle), we played with a lot of energy, even if some of the players were suffering from cramps."

The Eagles now share the lead with Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas at 3-1.

Lopez also wound up with 15 markers while rookies Carlo Gomez and Alvin Padilla combined for 17 points, including big baskets in the pivotal period.

While the Maroons shot 41-percent from the field, the Blue Eagles struggled, scoring just six points in the third quarter that saw them surrendering 14 straight points at the start of the third quarter after posting a 35-29 halftime lead. They also turned the ball over 18 times, six of which came from reigning MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

Al-Hussaini, who tallied 17 points, tried to ignite a comeback in the final quarter but the Maroons had an answer for his power play.

First Game
La Salle 64 — Co 17, Bagatsing 11, Malabes 8, Webb 6, Mangahas 5, Bringas 5, Tolentino 4, Villanueva 3, Atkins 2, Andrada 2, Ferdinand 1, Mendoza 0, Marata 0, Banal 0.

Adamson 63 — Alvarez 24, Margallo 7, Camson 7, Lozada 5, Colina 5, Santos 4, Galinato 4, Canuday 4, Canada 2, Lapitan 1, Cabrera 0, Basillio 0.
Quarters: 14-17, 20-23, 42-41, 56-56, 64-63.

Second Game
UP 68 — Co 15, Lopez 15, Gomez 9, Padilla 8, Sison 7, Braganza 7, de Asis 3, Maniego 2, Juruena 2, Reyes Mi. 0, Reyes Ma. 0, Gingerich 0, Gamboa 0.

Ateneo 58 — Al-Hussaini 17, Salva 11, Salamat 9, Reyes 8, Long 5, Monfort 3, Chua 2, Baclao 2, Gonzaga 1, Tiongson 0, Sumalinog 0, Golla 0, de Chavez 0, Buenafe 0, Austria 0.
Quarters: 18-22, 29-35, 46-41, 68-58.