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UP claims Game 1, stands on the cusp of reclaiming the UAAP Men’s Basketball crown

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University of the Philippines claims Game 1 of the much-anticipated best-of-three Finals series, putting themselves within just one step away from bringing the crown back to Diliman after defeating the defending champions, 73-65, Sunday, December 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City.

With this win, UP has now extended their Finals Game 1 win streak to four consecutive years, starting in Season 84, and have also snapped their four-game losing streak to DLSU, which dated back to last season’s Game 2 and 3 of the Finals, and in rounds 1 and 2 of this season’s elimination round.

They have also brought themselves to just one win away from getting UP’s fourth overall title in the UAAP, and are raring to get that win in Game 2 to avenge the heartbreaks of the past two seasons.

To open the game, the Green Archers took the lead for most of the first two quarters, ending the half with a slim 41-37 advantage, but by the third frame, the UP Fighting Maroons went in head first with a strong start to the second half, with Quentin Millora-Brown putting in a two point jumper to take the lead, 41-42, at the 6:04 mark.

After a good start to the half, the Maroons held a four-point advantage heading into the fourth period, 54-50, and they continued to execute well, with Millora-Brown and Aldous Torculas spearheading an 11-4 run to extend their lead to 11, 65-54, with 5:56 left.

Mike Phillips and Lian Ramiro then combined for seven consecutive points to pull DLSU to within four, 61-65, with 1:42 remaining, but Captain Gerry Abadiano answered back with five points to himself – a jumper and a triple – to lift State-U to a seven-point cushion, 70-63, with 40.1 seconds on the clock.

In a last-ditch effort, Phillips managed to cut the deficit to a two-possession game with 36.4 seconds remaining. However, veteran guards Harold Alarcon and JD Cagulangan sank a total of three free throws to seal the Game 1 victory for UP.

The key to the Fighting Maroons’ victory was their defense. They recorded a total of seven blocks and nine steals, and forced 18 turnovers, which resulted in 16 points.

Having faced a four-point disadvantage at the half, 37-41, UP made eight unanswered points to open the second and clamped down on defense, as DLSU only shot their first field goal of the second half at the 3:18 mark of the third quarter.

“We know naman that every game we play against La Salle, defense is really key to winning the game. I felt that nung second half, we had more intensity defensively [and] we communicated better. For me, it was a total team effort.” – Coach Goldwin Monteverde

After missing UP’s round two match against DLSU, Millora-Brown made his presence felt in this game, being just one board shy of grabbing a double-double, with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, along with nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block.

The other graduating Maroon in Cagulangan, who missed UP and DLSU’s first round meeting, contributed an all around performance with 13 points, five assists, four rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.

Francis Lopez also made an impact in this game, with 13 points, six rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and one steal, while Abadiano chipped in with nine points and eight rebounds.

Kevin Quiambao displayed his MVP form early on, as he already made 18 points for the Green Archers in the first half. But come the second, UP’s defense held him to just one point on 0-of-6 shooting, with his only point coming from a technical free throw at the 5:38 mark of the fourth quarter, and also forced him to commit six turnovers. Despite his offensive struggles, he still contributed 11 rebounds, one assist, and one block.

Phillips finished with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds with five assists and one steal, while EJ Gollena added 11 points and four rebounds, and CJ Austria chipped in seven points, five rebounds, two assists, and one block.

The UP Fighting Maroons look to close out the series in just two games, and bring the crown back to Diliman since their last title in Season 84, this Wednesday, December 11, at 5:30PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Meanwhile the DLSU Green Archers aim to tie the series and force a do-or-die game 3 in hopes of defending their championship.

Before the Game 2 tip-off, the Individual Awarding will be held at 5:00PM, where JD Cagulangan will be named a member of this season’s Mythical Five selection.

The Scores:

UP (73) – Millora-Brown 17, Cagulangan 13, Lopez 13, Abadiano 9, Torculas 7, Bayla 5, Alarcon 4, Torres 3, Fortea 2, Stevens 0, Felicilda 0, Ududo 0.

DLSU (65) – Quiambao 19, Phillips 17, Gollena 11, Austria 7, Ramiro 5, David 2, Agunnane 2, Marasigan 2, Dungo 0, Macalalag 0, Gonzales 0, Rubico 0.

Quarterscores: 11-18, 37-41, 50-54, 73-65.

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