University of the Philippines used a 31-point second period to dominate University of Santo Tomas, 110-79, for its fifth straight win the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Saturday.
The league-leading Fighting Maroons posted their best start in the Final Four era while keeping the Growling Tigers winless in five games.
The 110 points scored by UP was the most in a UAAP men’s basketball game since November 3, 2018 when De La Salle University defeated, coincidentally, UST, 110-69.
“After the first half, we talked about yung defense namin, defense was not that good in the first half. We picked up especially in the third quarter so yun yung parang nagdefine ng game nung second half,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Momteverde.
The Growling Tigers were just within two after a triple by Nic Cabañero with 5:04 left in the second quarter.
The trio of CJ Cansino, Harold Alarcon, and JD Cagulangan then teamed up for a huge Fighting Maroons blast that opened the game wide open at the half, 59-45.
UP never let up, outscoring its counterparts 35-14 in the third frame for a commanding 94-59 lead heading into the fourth.
“Happy lang ako sa team namin kasi coming from a bad team, naka bounce back kami. Hindi man maganda yung first half namin, nag focus kami sa defense and ginawa namin yung sinabi ni Coach Gold,” said Harold Alarcon, who had 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
JD Cagulangan just missed a double-double with 16 points and nine assists. Chicco Briones also broke out with 14 points, while fellow rookie Francis Lopez made 11 points and four assists in the blowout.
All 14 players fielded by Monteverde scored field goal.
UP will shoot for win no. 5 on Wednesday against De La Salle University at 6 p.m. at the bayside Pasay venue.
After scoring 19 in the first half, Cabañero was held to just five points in the second half to end with 24 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
UST is alone at the bottom after Far Eastern University’s 66-61 stunner win over Ateneo de Manila University earlier in the day. This was UST’s 18th straight defeat dating back to last season.
The Growling Tigers also got 23 points and six rebounds from Christian Manaytay.
UST will look to finally end its year-long drought against the struggling Blue Eagles.
The Scores:
UP 110 – Alarcon 21, Cagulangan 16, Briones 14, Lopez 11, Cansino 9, Diouf 8, Gonzales 8, Torres 6, Gagate 6, Torculas 3, Felicilda 2, Belmonte 2, Alter 2, Pablo 2.
UST 79 – Cabañero 24, Manaytay 23, Calum 8, Crisostomo 8, Pangilinan 6, Moore 6, Laure 4, Llemit 0, Duremdes 0, Manalang 0, Madrigal 0, Esmena 0, Gesalem 0, Ventulan 0, Lazarte 0.
Quarterscores: 28-24, 59-45, 94-59, 110-79
