Malick Diouf played down his individual clash against Ateneo de Manila University’s Joseph Obasa in University of the Philippines’ first clash in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
It was Obasa’s Blue Eagles who came out with the win, outlasting Diouf and the rest of the Fighting Maroons 99-89 in overtime to give UP its first loss of the season.
Putting the outcome aside, both big men put up impressive numbers for their schools.
Diouf produced 13 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals for UP while Obasa had 13 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks for Ateneo.
“I don’t have to face anybody,” said the 25-year-old Diouf.
“I just face the team. I’m not here to matchup with anybody.”
Diouf had two big opportunities to win the game for UP just before the final buzzer was sounded in regulation. The reigning MVP was heavily guarded in both instances and failed to put the ball into the hoop.
If those shots had gone in, then it would have been the climactic finish that the Fighting Maroons deserved after they executed a 7-0 run behind Francis Lopez ‘s and Reyland Torres’s baskets but it just was not meant to be.
“We didn’t play well so we lost the game,” lamented the Senegalese center.
“Because we didn’t play well, that’s why we lost the game. That’s why we lost, I think.”
Come overtime, Ateneo’s Mason Amos scored five points and then Obasa’s dunk sealed the victory for the Blue Eagles.
UP had no answers for that run and it was back to the drawing board for last season’s finalists.
“They were just executing well. I think that’s why.”
