University of the Philippines bowed out of its maiden Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) campaign after suffering a hard-fought 85-81 loss to host Tsinghua University in the quarterfinals on Thursday at the Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou.
The Fighting Maroons wrapped up their first appearance in the pan-regional tournament with a 1-2 record.
Last year’s silver medalist, Tsinghua made the timely baskets and crucial defensive stops in the fourth quarter to thwart every UP rally and secure a semifinal berth.
Noy Remogat paced the Fighting Maroons with 19 points, five assists, and four rebounds.
Veejay Pre recorded a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, while American center Dieonte Miles added 10 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.
Chicco Briones chipped in eight points, while Gani Stevens contributed seven points and seven rebounds in the losing effort.
Shi Kui starred for the Chinese side with 26 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while Yu Haotian added 15 points.
Liu Qingwen finished with 10 points, and He Wenwei contributed eight markers.
Tsinghua advanced to face Shanghai Jiao Tong University in the semifinals, while National Chengchi University and Waseda University will square off in the other semifinal matchup.
The AUBL is set to return later this year for its inaugural full home-and-away season.
The Scores:
Tsinghua 85 — Shi 26, Yu 15, Liu 10, Xu 9, He 8, Xi 7, Ou 6, Zheng 3, Yang 1.
UP 81 — Remogat 19, Pre 18, Miles 10, Briones 8, Stevens 7, Bayla 5, Palanca 5, Payosing 4, Yñiguez 3, Maga 2, Poyos 0, Alter 0.
Quarterscores: 24-19, 39-45, 62-62, 85-81.
