UP arrests two-game skid, eliminates FEU from Final Four contention

University of the Philippines halted their two-game losing streak, escaping Far Eastern University, and extinguishing the latter’s Final Four aspirations in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, Saturday, November 16, at the Filoil Eco Oil Arena in San Juan.

Coming from two consecutive losses to NU and DLSU, the UP Fighting Maroons put themselves back in the win column, improving their record to 10-3, and closing in on their hopes of ending the eliminations round on a high note before they face the UST Growling Tigers–who secured their spot at third after their win against Adamson, 75-49, on the same day–in the Final Four.

On the other hand, FEU’s loss kicks them out of the Final Four race for the third time in a row, as they fall to a 5-9 record, leaving only Adamson and University of the East vying for the last slot, with one game remaining for both squads.

The UP Fighting Maroons started the game strong, but FEU gave them a tough fight, staying close behind them the entire game.

The Fighting Maroons opened the third quarter with a 20-7 surge capped by a Gerry Abadiano three to extend their lead to a game-high of 16 points, 62-46, which allowed the Maroons to survive the Tamaraws’ 16-5 rally, and end the frame holding a five-point advantage, 67-62.

Come the fourth period, the FEU Tamaraws gave the Diliman-based squad a run for their money, trimming the deficit to a one game possession, 81-78, after three successful free throws from Jorick Bautista, with 50.3 seconds left on the clock.

With 27.6 seconds left, JD Cagulangan delivered the final blow, with a step back, three-point dagger from the wing to put FEU’s Final Four hopes to rest.

Team Captain Gerry Abadiano enjoyed his best performance this season, with 19 points on six-of-twelve triples made, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals, while Cagulangan took over in the endgame, scoring nine of UP’s last 11 points, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

Aldous Torculas chimed in 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a block, and Francis Lopez contributed 12 points, three rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

Quentin Millora-Brown made his return in this game after missing the Maroons’ rematch against DLSU, as he went back to his hometown following the passing of his grandfather. He was the team’s top rebounder, with seven points and 13 rebounds.

Jorick Bautista led the Tamaraws with 16 points, two rebounds, and one steal, while Janrey Pasaol contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal.

Veejay Pre also had 15 points, coupled with eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal, while Mohamed Konateh tallied the most boards in the game, and grabbed himself a double-double, with 11 points and 16 rebounds to go along with three assists, one steal, and one block.

The graduating and homegrown Tamaraw Royce Alforque, in his final game donning the green and gold, tallied nine points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal.

The UP Fighting Maroons (10-3) look to finish the eliminations round strong and get a win streak going, when they go against the UE Red Warriors (6-7), who are vying for the last Final Four spot, on November 20, Wednesday, 5:30PM, at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

The Scores:

UP (86) – Abadiano 19, Cagulangan 12, Lopez 12, Torculas 11, Torres 7, Millora-Brown 7, Fortea 6, Felicilda 3, Alarcon 3, Bayla 2, Stevens 2, Belmonte 2, Briones 0, Ududo 0.

FEU (78) – Bautista 16, Pasaol 16, Pre 16, Konateh 11, Alforque 9, Montemayor 7, Daa 3, Ona 2, Bagunu 0.

Quarterscores: 22-16, 42-39, 67-62, 86-78.