The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) beat the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 89-75, in the second round of the men’s basketball tournament in Season 88 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
The UP Fighting Maroons had a good start on Oct. 24 at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion. Playing solid defense and making baskets in the offensive end, the UPMBT entered the second half of the game with a 44-31 lead.
FEU then fought back and was able to cut UPMBT’s lead to six points, 47-41, in the early part of the third quarter. However, the UP Fighting Maroons found its groove and picked up the slack offensively to end the third frame with a 65-53 advantage.
The Tamaraws refused to go down without a fight and tried to narrow down UPMBT’s lead, but UP had answers to every scoring run FEU made. The UP Fighting Maroons went on to win the game.
Jacob Bayla, named best player of the game, had an all-around performance for the UP Fighting Maroons, producing eight points, six rebounds, three steals, two dimes, and one block. Francis Nnoruka had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Gani Stevens scored 14 points, Rey Remogat chipped in 12 points and eight assists, while Terrence Fortea had 10 points.
The UPMBT’s next game is against the UST Growling Tigers, Nov. 5, 4:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.