UNIVERSITY of the Philippines moved closer in securing a twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four with a dominant 86-61 win over University of Santo Tomas yesterday the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was Chicco Briones’ turn to shine for the Fighting Maroons, as the son of former pro Lowell logged 14 points and four rebounds in 13 minutes of action.

Briones quality numbers allowed UP’s top frontliners led by reigning MVP Malick Diouf to gain much-needed rest, as the Season 84 champions brace for a tough showdown with National University in the final day of eliminations on Sunday.

“I appreciate the trust of coach Goldwin (Monteverde) so much. It was an opportunity to give my best and I had to take that and put my heart out on the court,” said the 6-foot-6 Briones.

The Fighting Maroons hold the league’s best record at 11-2 to move past the Bulldogs.

UP and NU are trying to fend off La Salle, which clobbered also-ran Far Eastern University, 80-70, for its 10th victory in 13 games, in the race for the two twice-to-beat slots in the Final Four.

Filling in for injured Mike Phillips, Raven Cortez stepped up for the challenge with 16 points in a reverse role as the Green Archers assured of their best elims round record since going 12-2 in 2017.

“I’m just happy na undefeated pa rin kami this second round and yung mga wins na yan, we did it because we stick to the system,” said Cortez, who had 12 points in the second half.

Mark Nonoy added 15 points while Kevin Quiambao produced another solid all-around game of 13 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

Earlier, defending champion Ateneo downed Precious Momowei-less University of the East, 80-74, for its third straight win.

The Blue Eagles found the Red Warriors a tough customer before nabbing their seventh win in 13 games.

Ateneo will only clinch the remaining Final Four slot if Adamson loses to NU in the final game which is being played as of presstime.

“I thought we looked a little bit disinterested today. There was no excuse for that. It’s disappointing turning the ball over as much as we did and not be more dominant in the rebounding when they’re missing Precious and we had a significant size disadvantage,” said coach Tab Baldwin, whose Blue Eagles will take on the Green Archers on Saturday.

Momowei was suspended and disqualified in the Rookie of the Year race for accumulating two unsportsmanlike fouls in the tournament, as UE will miss the Final Four for a 14th consecutive season with a 4-9 record.

Over at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Camille Clarin broke out from a shooting slump and scored 15 points as holders NU sealed a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four with a 76-61 drubbing of Adamson.

Achrissa Maw came through with 13 points, six rebounds and three steals as UP walloped UE, 70-55, to inch closer of securing a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

UST weathered Josee Kaputu’s 37-point outburst to beat also-ran FEU, 106-85, to also stay in the twice-to-beat hunt. The Fighting Maroons and the Tigresses have similar 10-3 cards in second spot.

La Salle salvaged some pride as it slammed the door shut on Ateneo’s aspirations for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four with a 67-61 victory in their rivalry game.

The scores:

First game

Ateneo (80) – Brown 21, Ballungay 15, Obasa 13, Espinosa 5, Koon 5, Chiu 5, Amos 4, Nieto 3, Quitevis 3, Gamber 3, Credo 2, Celis 1, Lazaro 0, Bongo 0, Tuano 0.
UE (74) – Remogat 22, Lingolingo 14, Galang 12, Sawat 12, Alcantara 6, Maglupay 5, Langit 2, Tulabut 1, Cruz-Dumont 0, Spandonis 0, Cabero 0, Gilbuena 0, Manalang 0.
Quarterscores: 18-21, 42-34, 62-48, 80-74

Second game

UP (86) – Briones 14, Gonzales 10, Cansino 9, Belmonte 9, Lopez 8, Alter 7, Diouf 6, Felicilda 6, Fortea 6, Alarcon 4, Torres 4, Abadiano 2, Torculas 1, Cagulangan 0, Pablo 0.
UST (61) – Cabañero 14, Manaytay 14, Pangilinan 13, Duremdes 5, Laure 5, Calum 4, Llemit 3, Manalang 2, Moore 1, Crisostomo 0, Lazarte 0, Magdangal 0, Esmena 0.
Quarterscores: 24-18, 44-32, 69-47, 86-61

Third game

DLSU (80) – Cortez 16, Nonoy 15, Quiambao 13, Nelle 7, Escandor 7, Austria 5, Abadam 4, Nwankwo 4, Policarpio 3, Gollena 3, Manuel 3, B. Phillips 0, Macalalag 0.
FEU (70) – Bautista 17, Sleat 11, Gonzales 10, Ona 10, Competente 7, Bagunu 6, Tempra 4, Torres 2, Montemayor 2, Buenaventura 1, Faty 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 41-40, 62-61, 80-70