Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 25) — The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons dethroned the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 57-46, in their Final Four encounter in UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Malick Diouf served as the Fighting Maroons’ anchor on both ends of the floor as he finished with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
UP struggled early in the contest as it only managed to score 22 points, as opposed to the Blue Eagle’s 25 points at the halftime break.
The Fighting Maroons came alive in the third period, dropping 20 points to grab the driver’s seat.
Key defensive stops plus huge buckets from Janjan Felicilda and Sean Torculas in the second half helped UP maintain the edge en route to the victory
The Fighting Maroons ended Ateneo’s finals appearance streak at six, while now owning the longest ongoing title match streak at three in men’s basketball.
Francis Lopez contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Felicilda chipped in 10 points for UP.
Chris Koon was the lone Blue Eagles player who had double figures with 10 markers along with eight boards.
