The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) and the Women’s Basketball Team (UPWBT) scored a double win against the University of the East (UE) Warriors in Season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball tournament.
The UPMBT held off the late comeback attempt of the UE Red Warriors, 81-71, to secure their second win, while the UPWBT clobbered the UE Lady Warriors, 67-43, to barge into the winning column. The two games were played on Sept. 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The UPMBT was in control from the get-go and had a comfortable lead, 48-29, at the end of the second period. The UP Fighting Maroons then continued their assault against the Red Warriors and were able to establish their biggest lead, 69-42, off a reverse slam by Francis Lopez, at the 1:50 mark of the third frame.
In the payoff period, the Red Warriors, led by Precious Momowei, fought back and were able to trim down the UP Fighting Maroons’ lead to 10 points, with a minute and 37 seconds left in the ballgame. It was a little too late for the Red Warriors as time was not on their side.
JD Cagulangan had another stellar performance scoring 21 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, earning him the best player of the game award. Harold Alarcon and Mark Belmonte contributed nine points apiece.
Meanwhile, the UPWBT, just like their counterpart, took the lead early in the game and was ahead by 20 points, 38-18, at the halftime break. The UP Lady Maroons continued their relentless attacks and sealed their first win of the season.
Achrissa Maw paced the UP Lady Maroons with 18 points and six rebounds. Rookie Diane Nolasco scored nine points and three rebounds, while Kye Pesquera and Marielle Vingno chipped in eight points apiece. Louna Ozar also had an outstanding game contributing six points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and seven steals.
The UPMBT and UPWBT will face the National University (NU) Bulldogs on Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m. and the NU Lady Bulldogs on Sept. 18, 1:30 p.m., respectively. Both games will be at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
