UP one win away from basketball crown

By Joyce Remo

The Ateneo De Manila University will have the chance to push a do-or-die game with the University of the Philippines for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines basketball finals tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

On December 11, the UP Fighting Maroons took one step closer to their target twin win during Game 1 of the best-of-three finale at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

During the first game, Zavier Lucero led the Fighting Maroons in securing their first shot at their championship bid against the Blue Eagles.

He scored 14 with 11 boards, 2 dimes, and 2 steals within 33 minutes.

Meanwhile, JD Cagulangan contributed 12 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.

This season’s presumptive MVP Malick Diouf scored 9 points and blocked 10 during 18 foul-filled minutes.

With only 7:20 left on the clock, Harold Alarcon fired 10 timely buckets that helped the Maroons dominate the court, from a 58-56 to a 68-58 score.

Alarcon’s corner threes separated the scores and secured the first game of the third Battle of Katipunan with a 72-66 final score.

Rence Padrigao rallied the Ateneo Blue Eagles during the first game of the UAAP Men’s Basketball Finals against UP Fighting Maroons. Ateneo lost the game. Can it bounce back and force a do-or-die game tomorrow? Courtesy: ADMU’s Guidon

If UP conquers this league’s basketball finals, they will be the first team to hold a double championship title within the same year in UAAP’s history.

UP secured its first basketball championship for the first time in 36 years last May.

You can catch the game live via One Sports and the UAAP Varsity Channel. It can also be viewed online on Cignal Play and Smart Giga Play for free.

Photo from UP Men’s Basketball Team Facebook page

RepublicAsia