Debuting University of the Philippines booked its place in the playoffs of the 2026 Asian University Basketball League Championship after defeating Hakuoh University, 76-63, on Monday at the Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China.
The Fighting Maroons closed the game on a decisive 9-0 run to eliminate Hakuoh (0-2), last year’s AUBL bronze medalist.
With the Japanese side still within striking distance at 67-63, UP’s defense clamped down as Veejay Pre, Gani Stevens, and Jacob Bayla combined for nine unanswered points to seal the double-digit victory.
Pre powered the Fighting Maroons with a dominant double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Bayla contributed 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Noy Remogat turned in an all-around effort with nine points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Chicco Briones and Sean Alter chipped in eight points each.
With the victory, UP improved to 1-0 and will face fellow unbeaten Korea University (1-0) on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. to determine the Pool B top seed heading into the quarterfinals on Aug. 6.
Korea University defeated Hakuoh University, 80-76, on Sunday to open its campaign.
Alim Sakai led Hakuoh with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Rento Saito added 15 points.
Seiga Horiuchi finished with 11 points, five assists, and three rebounds as Hakuoh bowed out of the pan-regional tournament.
UP’s defense also neutralized Hakuoh’s top offensive threats. Eijiro Ogawa, who erupted for 22 points against Korea University, was held to just seven points on 1-of-12 shooting from the field.
Okakpu Chinedu, who posted 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in Hakuoh’s opener, was likewise limited to just four points, 11 rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
The Scores:
UP 76 — Pre 17, Bayla 13, Remogat 9, Alter 8, Briones 8, Palanca 7, Stevens 6, Payosing 4, Poyos 2, Miles 2, Maga 0, Yñiguez 0.
Hakuoh 63 — Sakai 16, Saito 15, Horiuchi 11, Ogawa 7, Minamisawa 6, Chinedu 4, Naito 2, Yaegashi 2, Hatta 0, Uchida 0, Leslie 0.
Quarterscores: 19-18, 43-44, 54-53, 76-63.
