University of the Philippines delivered another second-half storm to stifle Ateneo de Manila University, 94-75, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Just like in their 92-85 win over the UST Growling Tigers on opening day, where they turned the game around in the third quarter, the Fighting Maroons pulled away from the Blue Eagles after a 20-10 third frame to take a 66-55 lead.
“It was a good team win. We knew bago kami pumunta sa game na ito, it’s not gonna be easy against Ateneo. Nag-respond well ‘yung team, especially sa defensive end, playing as a team,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde as UP earned its seventh straight win against its modern-day rival Ateneo.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The two sides engaged in a heated battle in the first half, with seven deadlocks and seven lead changes.
But the second half turned into a Fighting Maroons show. UP held the Blue Eagles to just 30 points on 9-of-32 shooting from the field while scoring 48 points on a 15-of-33 clip.
“Bilang first season ko po dito sa UAAP, ini-embrace ko lang ‘yung mga games saka opportunity na kapag naglalaro ako, I’ll just be a star player sa role ko,” said James Payosing, the former NCAA champion from San Beda who led UP with 16 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
Veejay Pre added 14 points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter, along with nine rebounds for the Fighting Maroons. Meanwhile, Nigerian big man Francis Nnoruka posted a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Gani Stevens came close to a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds. Noy Remogat chipped in 14 points, three assists, two steals, and two rebounds despite struggling from the field, where he shot just 5-of-14.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
UP closed out the first week of the season with an early lead in the standings at 2-0, while Ateneo dropped to 1-1 in a four-way logjam.
Jared Bahay paced the Blue Eagles with 17 points, three assists, two steals, and two rebounds, while rookie Kieffer Alas added 13 points, 10 of which came in the first half.
UP will next face National University next Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena at 6:00 PM. Earlier at 12:00 PM, Ateneo will battle Adamson University.
The Scores:
UP 94 — Payosing 16, Remogat 14, Pre 14, Nnoruka 12, Stevens 9, Ogana 7, Maga 6, Poyos 4, Alter 4, Yñiguez 4, Franco 4, Andres 0, Palanca 0, Briones 0, Bayla 0.
Ateneo 75 — Bahay 17, Alas 13, Roberts 9, Espinosa 8, Baruwa 8, Tuano 5, Leal 5, Urbina 3, Rogers 3, Bongo 2, Cainglet 2, Espina 0, Kapihe 0.
Quarterscores: 17-18, 46-45, 66-55, 94-75.
