The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) overcame a slow start to secure a victory against the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 66-59, on Oct. 4 at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.
In the early stages of their latest game at the 88th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament, the UP Fighting Maroons struggled to find their shots.
They found their groove and were able to grab the lead, 31-30, on a jump shot by Reyland Torres with two minutes and 20 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The Bulldogs then responded with a 7-0 blast to end the period with a 40-34 lead.
The UP Fighting Maroons again had a sluggish start at the third canto as the Bulldogs established their biggest lead, 47-34, on a jump shot by Steve Nash Enriquez at the 6:26 mark of the quarter. The UPMBT then tightened its defense and clamped down on the Bulldogs offense while going on a 14-2 run courtesy of Miguel Yñiguez’ sweet shooting and Francis Nnoruka’s inside plays. They were just down by a single point, 48-49, at the end of the third period.
The UPMBT continued their suffocating defense, forcing the Bulldogs to commit numerous turnovers at the start of the final canto. Led by Harold Alarcon and Gani Stevens, the UPMBT also found their rhythm to outscore the Bulldogs, 17-4, and establish their biggest lead 65-53, with 30.4 seconds remaining to clinch their second win in four outings.
Nnoruka, who was chosen as the best player of the game, led the scoring for the UP Fighting Maroons with 14 points. Stevens contributed 10 points, five rebounds, while Alarcon and Yñiguez chipped in eight points apiece.
UPMBT will take on the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Oct. 8, 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.