Season host University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons drew first blood in the opener of the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament, overpowering the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 62-55, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

Burly power forward Gelo Vito, an unlikely hero for the Fighting Maroons, wowed the crowd, firing three straight triples in the fourth quarter to erect a 56-43 lead, which was enough cushion for UP’s win.

“All throughout the season, that’s what I’m working out, my outside shooting,” Vito, who used to be second fiddle to usual leading scorer JR Gallarza, said.

“I was lucky my shots went in,” he added.

IN PHOTOS: Vito buries three straight three-pointers to lead UP’s opening win against UE

The bonfire celebration though will still be reserved when the Fighting Maroons achieve its target of a Final Four appearance, rookie head coach Rensy Bajar said.

“We are still building up our never-say-die attitude,” the former pro standout said.

The turnover marred game started with UP leading 11-7 in the first quarter, leading the remainder of the game.

Former national youth standouts Paul Desiderio and Dave Moralde upped UP’s scoring with dribble drives in the second quarter while UE relied heavily on rookie Edson Batiller in the second half.

The game went ugly as UE team captain Chris Javier was assessed with a disqualifying foul after elbowing two UP players in a rebound play with four seconds remaining in the game.

“We lacked execution, we lacked the maturity. The solution is simple—we just have to stick to the Pumaren system,” Javier lamented after the game.

He led UE with ten points and ten rebounds while Batiller scored a game high 17 points on top of five steals.

The Fighting Maroons managed to survive despite 30 turnovers and were led by Vito with 11 points.

IN PHOTOS: Vito buries three straight three-pointers to lead UP’s opening win against UE