The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) unleashed a fourth-quarter rout to crush the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 101-70 on Oct. 25 at the Blue Eagle Gym.
This was the team’s fifth straight win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.
UPMBT set the tone early with crisp ball movement and dominance on both ends of the boards, dictating the pace and keeping the Red Warriors at bay. The UP Fighting Maroons carried a commanding 75-59 lead into the final period before turning the game into a rout.
UPMBT’s reserves took center stage in the fourth quarter, with Choi Palanca, Sean Franco, and LA Andres spearheading the breakaway. The trio sustained the UP Fighting Maroons’ offensive surge as they pulled further away to seal the 31-point victory.
The win improved the team’s record to 7-2, keeping the UP Fighting Maroons atop the team standings. UPMBT’s balanced attack saw several players contribute to the scoring. Veejay Pre led the team with 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Gani Stevens added 13 points and five rebounds. Elliot Dimaculangan chipped in nine points.
Palanca paced the bench brigade with 12 points and four rebounds in just 10 minutes and 37 seconds of action. Dikachi Ududo contributed nine points and seven rebounds, while Franco and Sean Alter scored eight points apiece. Andres added six points, and Miguel Yñiguez finished with seven.
The UP Fighting Maroons will next face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Nov. 4, 5 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.