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UP falters versus DLSU, faces back-to-back losses

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University of the Philippines struggled against De La Salle University, 66-77, in the eagerly anticipated showdown in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament on November 10, Sunday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City with 13,820 fans in attendance.

UP faced their first back-to-back losses of the season, after a shocking upset against National University last November 3, 47-67.

DLSU extends their win streak against UP to four, after beating them in Season 86’s finals games 2 and 3 and in round one of the eliminations this Season 87. 

After the Archers’ victory, they secured the top seed with a 12-1 record and a nine-game winning streak, leaving the Maroons with a 9-3 record and the second spot on the rankings.

Nonetheless, State U was able to obtain the remaining twice-to-beat advantage after University of Santo Tomas’ victory versus University of the East, 76-67, last November 9.

The Diliman-based squad was up by two in the first quarter, 14-12. In the second salvo, they powered an impressive 18-2 run after snatching DLSU’s two point lead, 24-22, and eventually kept them locked at 26. This was headlined by Jacob Bayla and JD Cagulangan and managed to get them ahead by 11, 37-26, with 3:20 left in the first half. 

However, Francis Lopez got deep into foul trouble after one personal and one technical early in the second quarter and two shooting fouls in the third. This prompted him to sit out the rest of the game despite tallying six points, seven rebounds, and two assists in just eight minutes of gameplay.

Towards the end of the third quarter, both teams were at a deadlock, 51-51. And thanks to an assist from Janjan Felicilda, Torculas was able to drain a triple with 1:53 left. But shortly after, a 6-0 run by Mike Phillips and EJ Gollena gave DLSU the upper hand, 57-51. 

Continuing DLSU’s hot run, they were able to maintain their lead in the fourth with a Joshua David layup with an assist from CJ Austria gave the Archers their biggest lead, 73-62, with 1:42 remaining, and ultimately swept the Fighting Maroons in the elimination round.

In the losing effort, Cagulangan led the Maroons with 22 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four steals. While the presence of rookie Bayla was also beneficial to the team with 10 markers, three boards, one dime, and one out of two of UP’s blocks.

On the flip side, reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao led the Green Archers with 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Philips also achieved a double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and one assist.

State U’s lineup was incomplete as one-and-done center Quentin-Millora Brown missed the crucial game following his grandfather’s death, prompting him to fly back home to the United States. However, he will be back by November 13, Wednesday, in time for the next match.

In an interview with UP Fighting Maroons Club, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde shared what he thinks can be adjusted for the two remaining games of Diliman for the elimination period, emphasizing on the mindset the team must have.

“Syempre every game will be different naman for us but (ang) importante, each game that we play after that may mapulot kami.”

In hopes to halt their two-game skid, the UP Fighting Maroons will face the Final Four-seeking FEU Tamaraws on November 16, Saturday, at 2:00 PM in the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Meanwhile the DLSU Green Archers will head into their final game of the elimination round against the NU Bulldogs on November 13, Wednesday, at (time) in the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila. National University is already out of contention in the second round but still hopes to close out their campaign on a high note, while De La Salle University aims for a clean second round sweep.

 

The Scores:

DLSU 77 – Quiambao 15, M. Phillips 14, David 12, Macalalag 9, Gonzales 7, Agunanne 6, Gollena 4, Dungo 4, Ramirp 2, Austria 2, Marasigan 2, Rubico 0

UP 66 – Cagulangan 22, Bayla 10, Torculas 9, Torres 8, Lopez 6, Stevens 3, Fortea 2, Alarcon 2, Alter 2, Briones 2, Felicilda 0, Ududo 0, Abadiano 0, Belmonte 0

Quarter Scores: 12-14, 40-43, 57-51, 77-66

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