The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) ended the elimination round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s basketball tournament with a win against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 77-67, on Nov. 20 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Harold Alarcon had a breakout game. Displaying his variety of moves and offensive arsenals, the Silay City native top-scored for the UP Fighting Maroons with 33 points, five rebounds, and one steal.

The UPMBT had a rough start and was trailing by six points, 15-21, at the end of the first 10 minutes of the ball game. Behind the three-point sniping of Alarcon and Chico Briones and the inside plays of Quentin Millora-Brown (QMB), the UP Fighting Maroons were able to seize the lead, 41-37, going into the second half.

It was a tight game between the two teams in the entire second half. With more than six minutes left in the game and the UP Fighting Maroons ahead by just two points, 59-57, Alarcon, Francis Lopez, and JD Cagulangan waxed hot for an 11-3 run to extend their lead to 10 points, 70-60, and gave UPMBT some breathing room.

In the ensuing play, UE’s Rainer Maga drained a three-point to keep their hopes alive, but Alarcon responded with back-to-back jumpers to seal the victory for the UP Fighting Maroons.

Alarcon’s great game was backstopped by QMB’s double-double performance of 16 points and 12 rebounds. Cagulangan contributed four points, nine assists, five rebounds, and a steal, while Lopez pitched in four points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two block shots.

The UP Fighting Maroons, with a twice-to-beat advantage, will face the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the semi-finals. The game schedule is yet to be announced.