Coming off a disappointing outing against the Ateneo Blue Eagles last week, Juan Gomez de Liano and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons bounced back, thrashing the University of the East Red Warriors, 94-81, Sunday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Fighting Maroons snapped a two-game skid to go up to 4-5 to tie the UST Growling Tigers at fifth. Moreover, they handed the Red Warriors their fourth straight loss, dropping them to 1-8.
“It was the effort in the second half that made us believe again that we can compete. We have been very complacent,” shared third-year Fighting Maroons head coach Bo Perasol as UP lost their last two games by an average of 15.5 points. “I don’t know what’s the reason why we are not able to give a hundred-percent effort in the games. But when we get our acts together, we can string up victories.”
Gomez de Liano, who had just five points and four turnovers against Ateneo, tallied a triple-double with 15 points, 12 assists, and 12 rebounds.
This is the first registered triple-double in the UAAP Men’s Basketball division since Marvin Cruz did it back in August 20, 2006 during UP’s 88-98 loss to Ateneo. Cruz had 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in that game.
In the seniors division, Afril Bernardino last reached this milestone back in November 5, 2016, finishing the NU Lady Bulldogs’ 78-42 win over the FEU Lady Tamaraws with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
But in order to reach that milestone, his teammates needed to make their shots as well. And they did.
Diego Dario sparked a 17-2 run early in the final frame to turn a one-point lead into an 80-64 lead midway in the final quarter.
Dario, a graduating senior, scored 10 of his 13 points in the final frame. His total is 10 points higher than his average.
Bright Akhuetie then finished the job to give UP a lead that went to as high as 20 points.
Akhuetie added 28 points and 13 rebounds to go along with three steals and two blocks.
“I’d like to commend Diego and Bright for stepping up. They played to their potential,” added Perasol.
Paul Desiderio, UP’s skipper, chipped in 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
Alvin Pasaol had a game-high 30 points for UE with nine rebounds. Philip Manalang almost had a triple-double of his own with 15 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
However, the Red Warriors were overwhelmed in the rebounding department, 32-48.
UP looks to build on this win as it faces the FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday, October 24 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. UE, on the other hand, takes on the Ateneo Blue Eagles earlier in the day.
The Scores:
UP 94 – Akhuetie 28, Desiderio 16, Gomez de Liano 15, Dario 13, Manzo 6, Vito 5, Jaboneta 3, Lim 3, Prado 3, Murrell 2, Longa 0, Tungcab 0, Gozum 0
UE 81 – Pasaol 30, Manalang 15, Conner 12, Varilla 10, Beltran 4, Cullar 3, Antiporda 3, Strait 2, Bartolome 2, Acuno 0, Guion 0
Quarterscores: 19-20, 41-44, 63-60, 94-81
