UP’s commanding fourth quarter run tows them past UST

University of the Philippines survived the tiger claws of University of Santo Tomas, 83-73, in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, October 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

After a tough loss to their Season 86 Finals tormentors, De La Salle University, last October 6, the Fighting Maroons were able to come back stronger and go up to 7-1. On the flipside, UST is solo at fourth, dropping to 4-4.

Photo by: Marga Villena

The first half of the game was a tight contest between the two teams, with UP leading by one in the first period, 18-17, and being tied at halftime, 43-43.

Early in the fourth salvo, España was leading by four, but Diliman was able to overturn the scoreboard and propel a 16-2 run, from the combined efforts of Terrence Fortea, JD Cagulangan, Mark Belmonte, and Reyland Torres — giving UP a 10-point lead, 77-67, with 4:09 remaining in the game.

In their last ditch effort, Mo Tounkara made a triple, but Fortea answered with back-to-back threes to fend off the Tigers and seal the win for State U.

Photo by: Marga Villena

UP’s defensive showcase limited UST to scoring just 11 points in the payoff period, compared to their 24.

Though the teams were evened out multiple times, the Tigers were not able to keep up with Maroons’ defensive prowess and confidence in their shots.

Player of the Game Fortea shot 4-of-5 treys on his way to finish the game with 16 points – 14 of which were scored in the second half alone, with nine in the final frame. He also added two rebounds and three assists.

All of the players on the Maroon side stepped up, as Francis Lopez showcased an impressive performance all throughout the game, leading the Maroons with 20 points on a near-perfect 8-of-9 conversion, seven rebounds, and two assists. 

Harold Alarcon contributed 11 markers, while Millora-Brown added 10 points, six rebounds, and three blocks of the team’s total of four.

After State U’s explosive performance, the UP faithful was more than pleased to see the return of team captain JD Cagulangan on the court after missing out on two games in round one. In less than 16 minutes of gameplay, Cagulangan was able to tally nine points, one rebound, and four assists. 

Photo by: Marga Villena

On the other side of the court, UST leaned on Tounkara’s 24 markers, nine rebounds, and one assist, Nic Cabañero’s 17 points and nine rebounds, and Christian Manaytay’s 12 baskets, two rebounds, and three assists.

In hopes to continue their winning ways, the UP Fighting Maroons will go up against the UE Red Warriors on October 23, Wednesday, 6:00 PM, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Meanwhile, the UST Growling Tigers are hoping to get their first win of the round when they face the DLSU Green Archers on October 16, Wednesday, 6:00 PM, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Scores:

UP 83 – Lopez 20, Fortea 16, Alarcon 11, Millora-Brown 10, Cagulangan 9, Torres 4, Bayla 4, Ududo 4, Belmonte 3, Stevens 2, Felicilda 0, Torculas 0, Briones 0

UST 73 – Tounkara 24, Cabañero 17, Manaytay 12, Padrigao 5, Llemit 5, Danting 4, Robinson 4, Acido 2, Crisostomo 0, Calum 0, Paranada 0, Mahmood 0, Pangilinan 0, Lane 0, Laure 0

Quarter Scores: 18-17, 43-43, 59-62, 83-73