UP almost did not win, but won nevertheless.
The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) rallied in the final quarter to overcome a 10-point deficit and edged Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 69-67, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Oct. 14 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
UPMBT came out strong, opening the game with a 17-6 run before AdU regrouped and fought its way back into the contest. The Soaring Falcons eventually seized control, building a 48-35 advantage before taking a 55-45 lead into the final quarter.
The UP Fighting Maroons found their rhythm in the fourth, launching a 17-5 run behind Veejay Pre and Dikachi Ududo. Pre scored eight points during the surge, while Ududo contributed six. Pre then capped the rally with an uncontested layup at the 3:33 mark to give the UP Fighting Maroons its first lead of the quarter, 62-60.
Ray Allen Torres answered with a basket to tie the game at 62 apiece, but James Payosing quickly restored UPMBT’s advantage with a layup. Noy Remogat followed with a step-back three-pointer before Gani Stevens scored inside, stretching the UP Fighting Maroons’ lead to seven points, 69-62, with 1:53 remaining.
AdU mounted a late rally as Mat Edding scored on a layup and Mathew Montebon knocked down a deep three-pointer with 26 seconds left to trim the deficit to 69-67.
Edding then stole Jacob Bayla’s inbound pass, giving the Soaring Falcons a chance to tie the game or move ahead. However, Earl Medina missed a wide-open three-pointer from the left corner with about eight seconds remaining.
After a timeout, Adamson got another opportunity when Montebon intercepted Remogat’s pass. The Soaring Falcons failed to secure the ball immediately, forcing Montebon to launch a desperation three-point shot that sailed well off target as UPMBT held on for the win.
Remogat led the UP Fighting Maroons with 14 points and six assists, while Ududo delivered 13 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Pre added 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Miguel Yñiguez chipped in 11 points.
The win put UP in a three-way tie with National University and Far Eastern University atop the standings, with all three teams holding identical 4-2 records.
The UP Fighting Maroons will seek a third consecutive win to close the first round when they face University of the East Red Warriors on Oct. 17 at 2:30 p.m. at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.