University of the Philippines vented its ire on Adamson University, 77-51, to kick off its second round campaign in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament on a high note at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
With just a six-point lead after the first quarter, the Fighting Maroons surged ahead with a 23-9 second quarter.
By halftime, they had established a 20-point lead, 40-20.
UP successfully countered every Soaring Falcons run throughout the rest of the game. It secured its seventh win in eight games and remains tied with National University at the top of the standings.
“This was a good bounce back win for us coming off a loss. One thing that Coach Gold emphasized even from the start of the season is to always keep pounding, which means we just continue to build yung mga gusto namin ma-improve,” said Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
Soaring Falcon Jerom Lastimosa made his debut when he entered the court at the 2:10 mark of the first quarter. However, his game was cut short after colliding knees with Gerry Abadiano while attempting a behind-the-back dribble with 5:19 left in the third period.
Lastimosa had to be helped to the dugout.
The Adamson star finished with three points, two rebounds, one block, and two turnovers in eight minutes and 18 seconds.
Malick Diouf and Reyland Torres led UP in scoring with 12 points each, with the reigning MVP also grabbing 14 rebounds and recording three blocks.
Francis Lopez displayed his three-point shooting prowess with three conversions, finishing with 11 points and seven rebounds.
“Sabi nga palagi sa amin ni Coach Gold, life goes on. After nung game namin sa Ateneo dapat mag-move on agad kami. Buti nakabawi kami ngayon,” said Janjan Felicilda, who had a complete game of seven points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals.
The Fighting Maroons’ next game will be on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum against Ateneo de Manila University, just a week after their epic clash to end the first round.
No player for the Soaring Falcons scored in double digits, with Joshua Yerro and Eli Ramos leading the team with seven points each.
Adamson suffered its third consecutive loss, dropping to 3-5 and tying with Far Eastern University.
The Scores:
UP 77 – Torres 12, Diouf 12, Lopez 11, Alarcon 9, Torculas 7, Felicilda 7, Gonzales 7, Briones 3, Belmonte 3, Cansino 3, Abadiano 2, Alter 1, Cagulangan 0, Gagate 0, Pablo 0.
AdU 51 – Yerro 7, Ramos 7, Montebon 6, Ojarikre 6, Calisay 6, Canete 4, Lastimosa 3, Manzano 3, Anabo 3, Magbuhos 2, Colonia 2, Sabandal 2, Erolon 0, Barcelona 0, Hanapi 0, Barasi 0.
Quarterscores: 17-11, 40-20, 58-38, 77-51
