The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) overcame a bad start and eventually cruised past the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 69-57, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament on Sept. 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The UPMBT had a miserable first quarter, shooting only three out 16 from the field. They were down by 17 points at the end of the first 10 minutes. AdU’s lead ballooned to 22 points, 31-9, off a three-point shot by Matt Erolon at the 7:43 mark of the second frame.

The UP Fighting Maroons then led by Harold Alarcon, Quentin Millora-Brown, Jacob Bayla, and Janjan Felicilda regained their ground and found their rhythm, both on offense and defense, and unleashed an 18-7 run to cut the Soaring Falcons’ lead to six points, 27-33, at the half-time break.

The UP Fighting Maroons continued their good showing in the third quarter. With constant ball pressure and good defensive rotations, the UP Fighting Maroons forced the Soaring Falcons to commit turnovers. Terrence Fortea, Alarcon, and Millora-Brown then connived on the offensive end to pave the way for the UP Fighting Maroons to take the upper hand, 51-46, going into the payoff period.

UPMBT’s tight defense and hot offense continued in the final canto and was able to establish a commanding 16-point lead, 63-47, with over six minutes left in the game. They took full control of the game from then on, en route to their fifth win of the season.

Alarcon led the UP Fighting Maroons with 14 points, eight rebounds, and one block. Fortea, who shot a 3/3 from the rainbow territory, was named best player of the game. He scored 13 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Millora-Brown had another double-double output scoring 11 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, while JD Cagulangan chipped in nine point, seven assists, and two steals.

The UP Fighting Maroons will take on the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers on Oct. 2, 4:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.