MANILA - The University of the Philippines (UP) won for the eighth straight time this University Athletic Association of the Philippines men's basketball season after edging Far Eastern University (FEU), 73-70, on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Despite a rare off-day for him, Zav Lucero, which only made seven markers, won it for UP as he drained the go-ahead basket with 1:27 left that broke a 70-all tie. The team, however, could not close it out on its own as it missed crucial free throws, including two from Harold Alarcon with 5.9 seconds left that could have iced the game from there. Luckily for them, RJ Abarrientos badly missed a heavily-contested three-pointer as time ran out on FEU's chances to force overtime. Rivero, who struggled in the first round of the eliminations, continued with his progress this season as he fired 19 points with five rebounds and two assists to lead the Fighting Maroons. Carl Tamayo added 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. Emman Ojuola tallied 16 markers, 14 boards, two blocks, and three steals for the Tamaraws, who momentarily dropped to sixth place at 3-6 following their third straight loss. The Scores: UP 73 -- Rivero 19, Tamayo 14, Cansino 12, Alarcon 8, Lucero 7, Diouf 7, Cagulangan 3, Fortea 3, Webb 0, Abadiano 0, Spencer 0, Calimag 0, Catapusan 0. FEU 70 -- Ojuola 16, Abarrientos 13, Gonzales 13, Torres 9, Sandagon 6, Tempra 5, Alforque 3, Bienes 3, Li 2, Coquia 0, Sajonia 0. Quarters: 16-17, 34-37, 57-54, 73-70. (PNA) }