Newcomers Veejay Pre and Arvie Poyos shifted the momentum as the University of the Philippines overcame the University of Santo Tomas, 92-85, in its UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament debut on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Down 53-58 in the third quarter, Pre, Poyos, James Payosing, and Sean Alter sparked the Fighting Maroons’ fightback, allowing UP to take a 66-62 lead heading into the final frame.
Poyos and Pre then opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back baskets. Poyos drilled a three-pointer before Pre followed with a smooth layup to stretch UP’s lead to 71-62.
That proved to be enough cushion for the Fighting Maroons, who fended off every UST attempt to mount a comeback.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“The team really worked hard for this game. Actually, the whole year naman ever since nag-start, lahat naman tumatrabaho rin. I believe that this group has its own identity din as a team and for me, whatever we faced especially in the first half, we responded well,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Mark Llemit, Amiel Acido, and Donovan Sevilla kept the Growling Tigers within striking distance. But a struggling Noy Remogat found his rhythm late, scoring eight points in the final 4:27 to help keep the Fighting Maroons afloat until the final buzzer.
Nigerian center Francis Nnoruka led UP on both ends of the floor with 18 points and 12 rebounds in 23 minutes. Remogat finished with 11 points on 3-of-13 shooting, along with seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
“Masaya ako na maganda ‘yung nangyari sa game, pero marami pa rin tayong i-improve as a team. Kailangan pa rin bumalik sa training pa rin talaga,” said Remogat, who is in his final playing year.
Migs Yñiguez also delivered timely shots for 11 points, including three triples, while Alter added nine points.
Poyos, a transferee from Jose Maria College in Davao, impressed in his UP debut with eight points and five assists without committing a turnover in 17 minutes of action. Rainer Maga and Gani Stevens also chipped in eight points apiece.
Pre — the UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year at FEU before transferring to UP — contributed seven points, five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Llemit led the Growling Tigers with 19 points and three assists, while Acido added 18 points, four assists, and three rebounds. Collins Akowe posted 13 points and 18 rebounds but struggled from the field, shooting 6-of-16.
UP will next face Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, still at the Big Dome.
UST, which paid homage to its 2006 championship team with throwback uniforms, will look to bounce back on Wednesday against defending champion De La Salle University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
UP 92 — Nnoruka 18, Remogat 11, Yñiguez 11, Alter 9, Poyos 8, Stevens 8, Maga 8, Pre 7, Payosing 5, Briones 5, Bayla 2, Palanca 0.
UST 85 — Llemit 19, Acido 18, Akowe 13, Danting 11, Buenaflor 8, Jumawan 6, Cañete 5, Sevilla 5, Porter 0, Crisostomo 0, Alao 0, Manding 0, Esteban 0.
Quarterscores: 24-22, 44-48, 66-62, 92-85.
