Second-seed University of the Philippines showcased resilience under pressure, fending off third-seeded University of Santo Tomas, 78-69, to advance to its fourth consecutive UAAP Collegiate Men’s Basketball Finals on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fighting Maroons will face the winner between the top-ranked De La Salle Green Archers and fourth-seeded Adamson Soaring Falcons in the Season 87 best-of-three championship series.
This marks UP’s fifth Finals appearance in the last six seasons, and the team aims to turn its fortunes around after settling for silver in the past two seasons, losing to Ateneo de Manila University in Season 85 and La Salle in Season 86.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sa amin naman, from yung nangyari sa last season. We took that to heart sa first practice pa lang. We as a team, ‘yung goal namin is to take it one game at a time. Ngayon, nandito na kami. Yan ang maganda sa finals, mag-start kami ng 0-0. It’s a best-of-three series. We’re looking forward to preparing and playing our best,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
The Fighting Maroons shifted the momentum in their favor in the third quarter with a huge 21-4 blast through the efforts of Harold Alarcon and Reyland Torres, turning a 34-40 deficit into a 55-44 lead with 2:24 left in the third frame.
Although the Growling Tigers managed to cut the deficit to 58-62 with 6:55 remaining, UP was too much to handle. Alarcon, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Francis Lopez responded to reestablish an 11-point advantage with 3:03 to go, 72-61.
This win was reminiscent of UP’s two victories (81-70 and 83-73) over UST in the elimination round, where the Tigers stayed in the game but faltered late in the second half.
“Nung first half, I felt na medyo we played tense nang konti. Minsan ganon, sa sobrang gusto natin na manalo, medyo nagmamadali. Sa second half, they trusted each other more. Mas naintindihan namin na we should play together, which is nangyari naman nung third quarter,” added Monteverde.
“Nagsisimula pa rin sa ensayo namin. May one week preparation kami (para sa Finals) so doon namin sisimulan bawat practice,” said Torres, who made 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and grabbed seven rebounds. Torres had averaged only 4.2 points in the elimination round.
Alarcon was once again pivotal, scoring 16 points, 14 of which came in the second half, mirroring his explosive performance in their previous game against University of the East, where he scored 16 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter.
Lopez also notched 16 points, while Millora-Brown dominated in the paint with 19 rebounds, four blocks, nine points, and three assists.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Kyle Paranada, Nic Cabañero, and Gelo Crisostomo led the Growling Tigers with 12 points apiece. However, Cabañero struggled with his shooting, finishing 4-of-13 from the field.
UST lead guard Forthsky Padrigao, who finished with seven points and three assists, was ejected with 3:24 remaining in the fourth period after committing his second unsportsmanlike foul for elbowing Millora-Brown while trying to fight through a screen.
The UAAP Season 85 Mythical Team member had received his first unsportsmanlike foul at the 9:33 mark of the third quarter after pulling Millora-Brown’s jersey to stop a fastbreak attempt.
Migs Pangilinan, Christian Manaytay, and Chase Lane played their final game for the Growling Tigers.
The Scores
UP 78 – Lopez 16, Alarcon 16, Torres 13, Millora-Brown 9, Fortea 8, Cagulangan 6, Ududo 4, Felicilda 2, Stevens 2, Belmonte 2, Bayla 0, Abadiano 0.
UST 69 – Paranada 12, Cabañero 12, Crisostomo 12, Manaytay 10, Tounkara 8, Padrigao 7, Acido 3, Pangilinan 3, Llemit 2, Estacio 0, Danting 0, Laure 0.
Quarterscores: 16-14, 33-35, 57-50, 78-69.
