The UP Fighting Maroons posted a double victory against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in Season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball tournament.
The UP Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) drove back the FEU Tamaraws’ late game surge, 86-78, while the UP Women’s Basketball Team (UPWBT) outclassed the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 76-61. The games were both held on Nov. 17 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
It was a tight ball game between the two teams with UPMBT only ahead by three points, 42-39, at the halftime break.
Led by the hot-shooting Gerry Abadiano, the UPMBT then put on a 20-7 dominant run at the start of the third quarter, establishing a 16-point lead. The UPMBT, however, was unable to sustain their momentum as the Tamaraws made a 16-5 counter-run that narrowed the gap to just five points, 67-62, going into the final canto.
The two teams then fought it out in the payoff period. With UPMBT ahead by six points, Jorick Bautista’s three free throws pushed FEU within three points, 78-81, still with 50 seconds more to go. JD Cagulangan then drained a step back three-point shot to extend the UP Fighting Maroons’ lead to six points, 84-78, with 27.6 seconds left in the game.
In the next Tamaraws possession, Janrey Pasaol missed his attempt to the basket forcing him to foul Cagulangan to stop the clock. Cagulangan then confidently converted his two free throws, securing the UP Fighting Maroons’ 10th win in 13 outings.
Abadiano paced the UP Fighting Maroons with 19 points, four rebounds, and two steals. Cagulangan, who had an all-around game, scored 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Francis Lopez and Sean Aldous Torculas chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, the UPWBT started strong and was in control of the game from the get-go. They led against the Lady Tamaraws by 12 points, 41-29, at the end of the two quarters.
The UP Fighting Maroons’ pesky defense propelled them to a 16-point lead, 61-49, going into the final canto. They then continued to capitalize on the errors committed by the Lady Tamaraws en route to a victory.
Louna Ozar led the UPWBT with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Alex Mendoza and Kaye Pesquera contributed 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
The UPMBT will play their last game of the elimination round against the University of the East Red (UE) Warriors on Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, while the UPWBT will face the UE Lady Warriors on Nov. 23, 2 p.m. also at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.