Playing without Juan Gomez de Liano and Ricci Rivero, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons leaned on Kobe Paras to stun National Taiwan Sports University, 76-61, to open their 2019 Buddha’s Light International Association Cup campaign, Tuesday morning.
Paras had 15 points in the contest.
The second-generation Isko took charge late, scoring seven points in a 17-0 endgame blast to leave NTSU in the dust.
Jun Manzo and Jaybie Mantilla had 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The Fighting Maroons go up to 1-0 in their group that also includes Huaquiao University (Wednesday, 3:00 pm), National Kaohsiung Normal University (Thursday, 3:40 pm), and National Taiwan Normal University (Friday, 9:00 am). The top two in this pool will advance to the crossover semifinals.
Juan Gomez de Liano was out due to back spasms while Rivero is nursing an ankle sprain.
Javi Gomez de Liano and Bright Akhuetie chipped in 10 points each with the latter grabbing 10 boards as well.
UP Scores:
UP 76 – Paras 15, Manzo 13, Mantilla 11, Akhuetie 10, Gomez de Liano 10, Murrell 5, Tungcab 4, Jaboneta 3, Webb 2, Gozum 2, Spencer 1, Gob 0.
Quarterscores: 20-20, 48-35, 59-53, 76-61
