University of the Philippines’ depth proved to be too much for National University, securing its third straight win in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament while handing the latter its first loss with a 78-60 victory on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Francis Lopez, the athletic 6-foot-6 rookie, led the Fighting Maroons’ attack, finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block, while having a plus-34 rating when he was on the floor.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Malick Diouf and CJ Cansino added 12 points each, with Diouf also grabbing 13 rebounds, helping the Fighting Maroons climb to 3-0 and claim the solo lead early in the season.
It was another impressive win for the Fighting Maroons, who had previously defeated Adamson University (68-51) and the University of the East (84-69) as they began their redemption bid after finishing in second place last season.
“This is a good win for us in terms of early growth as a team,” said coach Goldwin Monteverde. “As much as we’re really happy for this win, we have to stay level-headed; it’s only the third game of the season. We just have to keep on improving.”
In a low-scoring affair early in the contest, UP turned up the heat in the third quarter, scoring 28 points to turn a 30-25 lead into a 58-45 advantage.
Behind the efforts of Kean Baclaan, the Bulldogs clawed their way back, cutting the lead down to six, 60-54, with over seven minutes remaining. However, the Fighting Maroons responded with a blistering run, with Diouf, Cansino, and Lopez providing key baskets to fend off the Bulldogs.
“He’s an athletic guy, he’s talented but ever since magkasama kami, nakita ko yung value niya as a team player,” said Monteverde of Lopez, who was averaging 7.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in their first four games. “Seeing the floor, getting everybody involved at the same time in offense and defense — ang laki ng impact niya sa amin.”
Harold Alarcon contributed 10 points, and JD Cagulangan added eight points, six rebounds, and five assists for UP.
It was also an emotional game for UP’s Janjan Felicilda and Reyland Torres as they faced their former NU teammates for the first time in a UAAP setting.
Felicilda logged 15 minutes and tallied three points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Torres produced eight points and two rebounds in 12 minutes of action.
UP will aim to extend their streak to four when they face Far Eastern University on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, third-year forward Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs, who fell to 2-1, with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Senegalese big man Omar John and sophomore PJ Palacielo chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Baclaan, who was averaging 9.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.0 steals prior to the game, was held to nine points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field with three assists against three turnovers.
The Bulldogs will aim for a bounce back against the University of Santo Tomas, also on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
The Scores:
UP (78) – Lopez 14, Diouf 12, Cansino 12, Alarcon 10, Cagulangan 8, Torres 8, Abadiano 8, Felicilda 3, Pablo 2, Belmonte 1, Torculas 0, Alter 0, Gagate 0, Gonzales 0.
NU (60) – Figueroa 13, John 11, Palacielo 10, Baclaan 9, Yu 5, Malonzo 5, Jumamoy 4, Lim 2, Enriquez 1, Padrones 0, Manansala 0, Casinillo 0.
Quarterscores: 9-13, 30-25, 58-45, 78-60
