University of the Philippines pulled away in the fourth quarter to stave off gritty University of Santo Tomas, 81-70, to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Wednesday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Now standing at 6-0, they are one win away from sweeping the first round, with all games won in double digits.
The Diliman-based squad found themselves down by as much as 9, 16-25, early in the second quarter, but coming into the fourth, they already had the upper hand, 68-63.
To open the final frame, Christian Manaytay hit a basket for UST to come within three, 65-68.
Then, the Fighting Maroons launched an 11-0 run courtesy of Janjan Felicilda, Francis Lopez, and Harold Alarcon to secure their biggest lead at 14, 79-65, with 3:22 left.
Nic Cabañero sank two free throws and Forthsky Padrigao drained a triple to end the scoring drought for the Growling Tigers, 70-79.
Gerry Abadiano shot 2-of-2 on the free throw line to put UP back up by double digits, 81-70, with 1:27 remaining.
Alarcon steered UP with 16 points on a 7/14 field goal percentage, three rebounds, three assists, and one block, while Lopez delivered 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks, and was hailed as the Player of the Game.
Terrence Fortea contributed 11 points, and Abadiano added 10 markers.
The Maroons clamped down on defense as they limited the Tigers to just seven points, compared to their 13 in the fourth quarter. They also converted 31 points off from the latter’s 24 turnovers.
Despite missing the services of veteran guard JD Cagulangan because he is feeling under the weather, State U showcased their depth, making 55 bench points as opposed to 15 from UST.
In the losing effort, Mo Tounkara led the España-based squad with 21 points on a 9-of-10 shooting clip, five boards, and one assist.
Cabañero tallied 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Padrigao registered 14 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, but committed seven turnovers.
The UP Fighting Maroons (6-0) will clash with the DLSU Green Archers (5-1) in the highly-anticipated Season 86 finals rematch to close out the first round on Sunday, 6:30PM, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Meanwhile, the UST Growling Tigers (3-3) are aiming to bounce back in their last assignment in the first round against the FEU Tamaraws (1-5), on Saturday, 4:30PM, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Scores:
UP 81 – Alarcon 16, Lopez 15, Fortea 11, Abadiano 10, Millora-Brown 8, Felicilda 8, Ududo 6, Torculas 5, Torres 2, Belmonte 0, Bayla 0, Briones 0, Alter 0.
UST 70 – Tounkara 21, Cabañero 15, Padrigao 14, Paranada 5, Llemit 4, Manaytay 4, Danting 3, Crisostomo 2, Mahmood 2, Acido 0, Estacio 0, Laure 0, Robinson 0, Calum 0, Pangilinan 0.
Quarter Scores: 16-23, 40-42, 68-63, 81-70
This UP Fighting Maroons Club post is made in partnership with Jiang Nan Hotpot.
