The UP Fighting Maroons ended the elimination round with a thrilling win over the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, 84-83, in the Season 84 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament on May 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Fighting Maroons’ victory, in what was dubbed as the “Battle of Katipunan,” spoiled the Blue Eagles’ bid to sweep the games this season.
UP also snapped the Blue Eagles’ 39-game winning streak, just like in October 2018 during the 81st UAAP Season.
Led by Carl Tamayo and Maodo Diouf, UP had a hot start and ended the first quarter with a 14-point lead, 27-13. The Fighting Maroons were able to establish its biggest lead, 32-14, at the 9:23 mark of the second frame. ADMU, however, fought back.
Behind Dave Ildefonso, Angelo Kouame, and Bryan Andrade, the Blue Eagles were able to trim UP’s lead to three, 70-67, going into thaz e final quarter.
The two teams then traded baskets until the Blue Eagles seized the lead, 77-75, on a monstrous dunk by Kouame at the 6:01 mark of the payoff period.
With 43.6 seconds left to play and ADMU still up by two points, 81-79, UP’s James Spencer hit a cold-blooded three-pointer at the top of the key to put the Fighting Maroons ahead, 82-81. Ildefonso, however, quickly answered with a reverse lay-up to give back the lead to ADMU, 83-82, with 32.4 seconds remaining.
In the ensuing play, ADMU’s Gian Mamuyac committed a foul on Ricci Rivero’s drive to the basket. Rivero then coolly sank his two free throws to give the Fighting Maroons the upper hand, 84-83, with 22.2 seconds to go. The Blue Eagles had a chance to steal the game, but SJ Belangel missed his three-point attempt as Diouf got the rebound and was then fouled by Ildefonso. With 1.6 seconds left, Diouf failed to convert on his free throws but was able to get the rebound of his own miss as time expired, giving the Fighting Maroons its 12 wins in 14 outings.
Diouf, who was named best player of the game, had a monster performance, scoring 18 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, dishing four assists, one steal, and one block. Tamayo contributed 16 points, four rebounds, and a steal, while Spencer chipped in 12 points.
The Fighting Maroons enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage and will face the third seed, De La Salle University Green Archers, on May 4, 2 p.m.