University of the Philippines dashed Far Eastern University’s Final Four aspirations, escaping with an 86-78 victory to snap a two-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Reeling from back-to-back losses to the DLSU Green Archers and the NU Bulldogs, the Fighting Maroons bounced back to improve their record to 10-3.
On the other hand, FEU will miss the postseason for the third consecutive season. It finished the year under head coach Sean Chambers with a 5-9 record – a two-win improvement from last season’s 3-11 mark.
Their last Final Four appearance came in Season 84 (2022).
With their ninth loss, FEU was officially eliminated from the playoff race, leaving three teams – UST, UE, and Adamson – still in contention for the last two Final Four spots.
The Fighting Maroons fought hard for the win, which they hope will give them momentum heading into the postseason.
“Every time we have a game like this, where we have to battle it out in the end, it makes you proud as a coach. Especially coming off two losses, seeing the heart of the players was great,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
A commanding 20-7 run to open the third quarter helped UP maintain a 67-62 lead going into the final period, surviving FEU’s late 16-5 surge to close the frame.
In a tightly contested fourth quarter, the Tamaraws trimmed the deficit to three with 50.2 seconds left, following three free throws from Jorick Bautista, 81-78.
However, Cagulangan quickly responded with a dagger step-back three-pointer with 26.7 seconds remaining, officially eliminating FEU from Final Four contention.
With 2:47 left, Cagulangan scored nine of UP’s last 11 points to close out the game, sealing the Fighting Maroons’ 10th win in 13 outings. Before that, the graduating point guard had struggled, shooting just 3-of-14 from the field.
This wire-to-wire win also confirmed the Fighting Maroons’ dominance over the Tamaraws, whom they had defeated 69-58 in the first round on September 22.
Co-captain Gerry Abadiano had his best game of the season, finishing with 19 points, four rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
Cagulangan ended the game with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
Francis Lopez also added 12 points, four steals, four assists, and three rebounds, while Aldous Torculas contributed 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one block.
In his return, Quentin Millora-Brown chipped in with seven points and 13 rebounds. The one-and-done center had missed UP’s second-round clash against La Salle due to the passing of his grandfather.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, Jorick Bautista led the Tamaraws in the losing effort with 16 points, two rebounds, and one steal.
Janrey Pasaol contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal. Veejay Pre also scored 15 points, adding eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal.
Gambian center Mo Konateh recorded a double-double with 11 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
FEU will miss the services of homegrown talent Royce Alforque next season, as he has exhausted his five playing years. In his final UAAP game, Alforque posted nine points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal.
Looking ahead, the Fighting Maroons aim to finish the eliminations on a high note when they face the Red Warriors on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the same San Juan venue.
Before tip-off, the UAAP held a moment of silence to pay tribute to the late Ricky Dandan, a former UP head coach and Ateneo assistant coach.
The Scores:
UP (86) – Abadiano 19, Cagulangan 12, Lopez 12, Torculas 11, Torres 7, Millora-Brown 7, Fortea 6, Felicilda 3, Alarcon 3, Bayla 2, Stevens 2, Belmonte 2, Briones 0, Ududo 0.
FEU (78) – Bautista 16, Pasaol 16, Pre 16, Konateh 11, Alforque 9, Montemayor 7, Daa 3, Ona 2, Bagunu 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16, 42-39, 67-62, 86-78.
