MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons dashed Far Eastern University Tamaraws’ UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament Final Four aspirations with a 86-78 victory at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Reeling from back-to-back losses to the National University Bulldogs and the De La Salle University Green Archers, the Fighting Maroons returned to the winning column to hike their record to a 10-3 slate.
Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano tallied a season-high of 19 points to go with four rebounds, two steals, and one assist, while JD Cagulangan ended the day with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals for UP.
Francis Lopez also scored 12 points to go along with four steals, four assists, and three rebounds, while Aldous Torculas chipped in 11 points, six reboudns, two assists, and one block for the Fighting Maroons.
Holding to a slim 42-39 lead at the half, the Fighting Maroons went on a 20-6 run in the third quarter for a 62-45 lead, but the Tamaraws countered with a 16-5 surge to cut the deficit to 62-67.
The Tamaraws were still hanging around at 78-81 with under a minute left, but Cagulangan responded with a game-sealing three-pointer for an 84-78 lead with 26 seconds remaining.
“Every time naman na may game na ganito and we had to battle it out in the end makes you proud as a coach. Especially coming from dalawang talo, seeing the heart of the players was great,” UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde said after the game.
Jorick Bautista paced the Tamaraws in the losing effort with 16 points, two rebounds, and one steal, while Janrey Pasaol contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal. They ended the season with a 5-9 record.
FEU will miss the service of homegrown talent Royce Alforque next season, who has exhausted all five playing years. In his final UAAP game, Alforque tallied nine points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal./PN
BOX SCORE:
UP 86 – Abadiano 19, Cagulangan 12, Lopez 12, Torculas 11, Torres 7, Millora-Brown 7, Fortea 6, Felicilda 3, Alarcon 3, Bayla 2, Stevens 2, Belmonte 2, Briones 0, Ududo 0.
FEU 78 – Bautista 16, Pasaol 16, Pre 16, Konateh 11, Alforque 9, Montemayor 7, Daa 3, Ona 2, Bagunu 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16, 42-39, 67-62, 86-78.
