REGARDLESS of how tight the game was, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons managed to overcome the fiery start of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 81-70.
At the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Fighting Maroons demonstrated to the fans that they are the team to beat in UAAP Season 87, being unstoppable against any team they encountered in the first round.
The Diliman-based team is only one win away from sweeping the first round, while the victory extends their winning record to 6-0, with all of them winning by a comfortable double-digit margin.
No Cagulangan, no problem
Despite missing their senior floor general JD Cagulangan, the Fighting Maroons were able to navigate a crucial fourth quarter against the Growling Tigers, thanks to probably the deepest lineup this season.
At the outset of the game, UST appeared to be the team capable of ending UP’s dominance. Just with their encounter against the DLSU Green Archers, the former team led till the end of the first half, 42-40.
However, with experience leaning on the side of the Fighting Maroons, they managed to turn the game around once more. Capturing a close lead at the end of the third quarter, 68-63.
Christian Manaytay made a shot to start the fourth quarter, trimming the lead to 65-68. That, however, was their last basket for quite some time, as UP went on a commanding 11-0 run over the next six minutes.
All because of Francis Lopez, Harold Alarcon, and Janjan Felicilda, who took on Cagulangan’s responsibilities and led the team to a 79-65 advantage with 3:22 remaining in the game.
With 1:41 left in the game, Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao scored two and three-pointers, bringing the Growling Tigers within 70-79. Mark Llemit attempted a corner three but was denied by Lopez.
Nowhere to go but UP
Putting aside UP’s offensive prowess, assistant coach Christian Luanzon emphasized that the squad was able to adjust in the second half, thanks to a tighter defensive system.
“After allowing 24 points in the first quarter alone and then limiting them to 28 in the second half, obviously mas maganda yung second half namin in terms of effort and adjustments,” said Luanzon.
“But it’s really the players. They responded to all the things that Coach Gold told them to do, especially during half time.”
“This is a tough UST team. Obviously, a much better team compared to the last season just like any other team in the UAAP. You can always expect yung A game nila. So, kudos to them,” added Luanzon.
Alarcon led the team in scoring with 16 points, while Lopez had 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Terrence Fortea also had a big day for the Fighting Maroons, scoring 11 points.
La Salle, UP’s opponent, is the lone team that has yet to face them in the first round. The much-anticipated finals rematch between the two teams is set on Sunday, 6:30 PM, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
