University of the Philippines grabbed Far Eastern University by their horns as they took command from the get-go, 69-58, making this their fourth consecutive win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on September 22, Sunday, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Thus far, the Fighting Maroons have won all of their games this season by double-digit margins; 16 points vs. Ateneo, 10 points vs. UE, 27 points vs. NU, and 11 points vs. FEU.

In the following game, University of the East (2-2) upset defending champions De La Salle University (3-1), 75-71 – giving the top spot to UP with a clean 4-0 record.

The Maroons led the first quarter by a mere four points, 19-15, but quickly bounced back in the second quarter by scoring 20 points compared to the Tamaraws’ 7 – pulling away by 17, 39-22, at halftime. 

While the green and gold squad kept it close in the third quarter, scoring 15 points in comparison to UP’s 16 points, with key players Jorick Bautista, Mohamed Konateh, Janrey Pasaol, and Rojan Montemayor taking control over the boards, scoring, and free throws.

However, State U continued to display their dominance in the final quarter, and led by as much as 25 points, courtesy of shooting guard Reyland Torres’ lay-up, 69-44, with less than four minutes left.

Despite FEU’s 14-0 run in the tail end of the fourth, their efforts were not enough as the time winded down until the final buzzer and ultimately, UP claimed the victory, 69-58.

For the Fighting Maroons, former Vanderbilt big man Quentin Millora-Brown scored a double-double with 11 points on a 4/7 field goal percentage, 13 rebounds, one assist, and was a +16.

His standout performance was aided by Francis Lopez’ 13 points and four assists in less than just 13 minutes of action, Janjan Felicilda’s nine points and three assists, and JD Cagulangan’s seven points, four rebounds, and five assists.

On the other hand, the Morayta-based squad was spearheaded by guard Adam Nakai, who finished with 12 points on a 4/5 field goal percentage and three rebounds in less than just 12 minutes of gameplay, Jorick Bautista with 11 points and seven rebounds, and rookie Veejay Pre with 10 points, two rebounds, and two assists. 

In an effort to extend their 4-0 winning streak to five, the UP Fighting Maroons (4-0) will take on the Adamson Soaring Falcons (2-2) on September 28, Saturday, 4:30 PM, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Meanwhile, the FEU Tamaraws (0-4) are hoping to get on the win column when they face the DLSU Green Archers (3-1), who aim to bounce back from their loss against the UE Red Warriors (2-2), on September 25, Wednesday, 4:30 PM, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

 

UP 69 – Lopez 13, Millora-Brown 11, Felicilda 9, Cagulangan 7, Alarcon 6, Bayla 6, Torres 4, Alter 4, Abadiano 3, Briones 2, Walker 2, Ududo 2, Fortea 0, Belmonte 0, Torculas 0, Stevens 0

FEU 58 – Nakai 12, Bautista 11, Pre 10, Montemayor 9, Konateh 8, Alforque 6, Pasaoi 2, Daa 0, Bagunu 0, Ona 0

Quarter Scores: 19-15, 39-22, 55-37, 69-58

 

This UP Fighting Maroons Club post is in partnership with Jiang Nan Hotpot.