BASKETBALL
Terrence Fortea’s perfect shooting helps UP overcome slow start versus Adamson
From 22 points down in the first half, University of the Philippines pulled off a comeback versus Adamson University, 69-57, to grab their fifth win in as many outings, in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament, September 28, Saturday, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Player of the game, Terrence Fortea, led the Fighting Maroons past the Soaring Falcons, with 13 points on a perfect 4/4 field goal percentage, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist, alongside leading scorer, Harold Alarcon, who tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, and one block.
After a measly first quarter, scoring just 3/16 in field goals, and the deficit ballooning to 22 points, 9-31, after a triple by Matt Erolon to start the second frame, Quentin Millora-Brown and Francis Lopez sparked a new fire aflame for UP, starting an 18-2 run to get within six, 27-33, to end the first half.
Even while down by double digits, Coach Gold emphasized that it’s not about winning or losing the game. It’s about being present–adjusting and responding, and sticking to the game plan–and that’s what they did.
“…our first quarter, we came out a little stagnant, flat. [we] couldn’t hit shots, [weren’t] getting the stops on defense from the game plan that we had… But I thought that there was a great response [from] everyone to understand [that] our shots are gonna come, and to just stay patient and ready for when the time came.” – Quentin Millora-Brown.
It was a back and forth affair in the third quarter, with Manu Anabo and Fortea exchanging triples, but in the end, UP came out on top. They opened the third quarter with a 7-0 run to snatch the lead, 34-33, with Alarcon’s offensive rebound that led to a successful second chance shot for Cagulangan, who made a two-point jumper.
Anabo hit a triple for the Falcons to take back the lead at 44-46, but the Maroons quickly put the game back in their favor with a 19-1 run, their lead going up by as much as 16 points, 63-47 in the fourth, after Alarcon sank in two free throws.
The Fighting Maroons showcased their deep roster once again, with 51 bench points versus the Falcons’ 31, which was a key factor to their dub. The former also had more boards than their opponents, with 53 – 38, resulting in 17 points. The entire team was also 81.0% on free throws that night: their best free throw percentage of the season so far.
Millora-Brown led charge on rebounds, and also grabbed his second straight double-double, with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Cagulangan on the other hand had the most assists on either side with 7, and he contributed 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals.
On the Falcons’ side of things, Montebon and Calisay led their team with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one block, and 12 points, four rebounds, two steals, and one block, respectively, while the rookie, Anthony Fransman, led in rebounds with 8, and had 5 points and 1 block.
The UP Fighting Maroons (5 – 0) look to extend their streak to six when they go against the UST Growling Tigers (3 – 2), who hope to bounce back after a loss to the DLSU Green Archers, on October 2, Wednesday, 4:30PM, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Meanwhile, the Adamson Soaring Falcons’ (3 – 3) next opponent will be the UE Red Warriors (3 – 2) who are aiming for their fourth straight win, Oct. 6, Sunday, 3:30PM, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
THE SCORES:
UP (69) – Alarcon 14, Fortea 13, Millora-Brown 11, Cagulangan 9, Lopez 6, Felicilda 4, Bayla 3, Torculas 3, Belmonte 2, Udodo 2, Briones 2, Abadiano 0, Walker 0, Stevens 0
Adamson (57) – Montebon 12, Calisay 12, Erolon 8, Anabo 6, Ojarikre 6, Fransman 5, Manzano 4, Mantua 2, Yerro 2, Alexander 0, Ronzone 0, Barasi Jr., 0, Ramos 0
Quarterscores: 9-26, 27-33, 51-46, 69-57