Metro Manila, Philippines — The UP Fighting Maroons clinched the first Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament after holding off the gritty Ateneo Blue Eagles, 82-74, on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The victory stretched the Fighting Maroons’ winning streak to seven games, improving their slate to 9-2, while pushing the Blue Eagles down to solo fifth at 5-6.
This is the eighth straight semis appearance of the Diliman-based squad.
“Always happy kasi siyempre unang goal namin is to reach the Final Four. We’re very happy with this win today,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde. “Nabigyan kami ng challenge and credit to these guys on how they responded during the game when it really counted.”
After a tight first half, Elliott Dimaculangan caught fire, detonating a personal 9-0 blast to hand UP a 63-53 cushion late in the third frame and shift momentum for good.
Veejay Pre led the charge for UP with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. Rainer Maga and Dimaculangan backstopped with 13 markers apiece, with Dimaculangan adding six boards, an assist, and a block.
Kieffer Alas finished with 14 points and five rebounds to pace Ateneo, while Jared Bahay tallied 13 points, six assists, and three rebounds in the loss.
The Scores:
UP 82 – Pre 16, Maga 13, Dimaculangan 13, Ududo 10, Payosing 7, Bayla 5, Remogat 5, Yñiguez 5, Briones 3, Stevens 2, Palanca 2, Alter 1.
ATENEO 74 – Alas 14, Bahay 13, Espinosa 9, Tuano 9, Rogers 8, Roberts 7, Kapihe 6, Baruwa 4, Bongo 4, Espina 0, Leal 0.
Quarter scores: 13-20, 36-39, 64-57, 82-74.
