Metro Manila, Philippines — The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons outlasted archrival De La Salle University Green Archers, 80-76, to snap their two-game losing streak in Round 1 of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Fighting Maroons fended off a late fourth-quarter rally by the defending champions, who outscored UP, 23-17, in the final frame, to improve to a 3-2 record and remain in third place alongside the Adamson University Soaring Falcons.
Meanwhile, the Green Archers dropped to a 3-3 record, tying the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles for fourth place.
UP co-captain Rey Remogat led his squad with 20 points. Veejay Pre added 19 points and seven rebounds, while rookie Elliot Dimaculangan chipped in 11 markers.
The Diliman-based squad got off to a hot start after back-to-back three-pointers from Pre sparked a 12-3 run, giving UP a 24-17 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Remogat spearheaded another scoring barrage in the second frame as La Salle continued to struggle offensively, allowing UP to extend its lead to 42-28 at halftime.
The Taft-based squad came alive in the third quarter, with crucial baskets from Doy Dungo and Earl Abadam cutting into the deficit. However, two consecutive three-pointers from Remogat kept UP ahead by 10 points, 63-53, heading into the final frame.
Timely baskets from Dungo and Luis Pablo sparked an 11-2 run for La Salle, allowing the Green Archers to close the gap. Jacob Cortez then knocked down two triples to give La Salle its first lead of the game, 73-72.
However, clutch free throws and a fadeaway jumper from Pre helped UP regain control and pull away in the closing minutes.
Macalalag paced La Salle with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field, while Pablo and Dungo contributed 14 and 12 points, respectively, in the losing effort.
UP will look to string together back-to-back wins when it faces Adamson on Oct. 18 at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, La Salle will seek to end the first round on a high note when it takes on the Soaring Falcons on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The scores:
UP (80) — Remogat 20, Pre 19, Dimaculangan 11, Bayla 8, Ududo 5, Payosing 5, Poyos 5, Stevens 4, Yñiguez 3, Maga 0, Palanca 0, Briones 0
La Salle (76) — Macalalag 17, Pablo 14, Dungo 12, Cortez 10, Amos 6, Abadam 5, Tovera 3, Sardon 3, Daep 3, Marasigan 2, Gagate 1, Agunanne 0
Quarterscores: 24-17, 42-28, 63-53, 80-76.
