University of the Philippines avoided an upset against a hot-shooting University of the East, pulling away for a 91-81 victory to close out the first round of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament with three straight wins on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Fighting Maroons’ victory gave them the provisional lead with a 5-2 record, ahead of the idle FEU Tamaraws and NU Bulldogs, both at 4-2.
The result also extended the Red Warriors’ (0-7) losing streak to 27 games dating back to Season 87, pushing them further into the record books for futility. UE’s skid now matches the second-longest in league history, tying the 27-game losing streak of the UP Fighting Maroons from Seasons 75 to 77.
The Adamson University Falcons from Seasons 62 to 65 still hold the record for the longest losing streak, with 35 consecutive defeats from 1999 to 2002.
Despite the come-from-behind victory that extended UP’s season-best winning streak, head coach Goldwin Monteverde emphasized the need for his team to get off to better starts.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Actually, naunahan kami ng UE in a way. That’s one test for the team — coming from behind, playing tough defense para makabalik sa game. Along the way, siyempre kailangan naming matuto to start strong. I guess as we go along sa season, we’ll learn to do those,” said Monteverde.
UP’s winning streak began after back-to-back losses to Far Eastern University and National University.
Trailing 61-65 late in the third quarter, graduating marksman Chicco Briones and Elliot Dimaculangan combined for 12 unanswered points to put the Fighting Maroons ahead, 73-65, heading into the final period.
The Red Warriors refused to back down, however. Toper Lagat knocked down two triples in the payoff period to keep UE within five points, 81-86, with 2:55 remaining. Those would prove to be the Red Warriors’ final points as they remain winless this season.
UE, which shot 38-percent from the field and sank 12 three-pointers, led by as many as 10 points late in the second quarter, 43-33. UP, however, trimmed the deficit to just three at halftime, 45-48.
Transferee wingman James Payosing led seven Fighting Maroons in double figures with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Briones added 13 points, shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, while Gani Stevens contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks.
Veejay Pre also turned in an all-around performance with 11 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Dimaculangan matched his scoring output with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Noy Remogat and Dikachi Ududo — who has helped keep the Fighting Maroons unbeaten since taking over the spot from fellow Nigerian Francis Nnoruka — chipped in 10 points apiece.
UP dominated inside, outscoring UE 40-16 in the paint, while also capitalizing on its trips to the free-throw line, converting 30 of 46 attempts. The Red Warriors, meanwhile, went 13-of-21 from the stripe.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Lagat continued to be the bright spot for UE, finishing with 26 points and five assists. Then Mo Tañedo chipped in 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Cole Cruz-Dumont added 10 points in the losing effort.
Backup big man Dexter Santos was ejected with 34.3 seconds remaining after striking Ududo on the back of the head during a box-out play.
The Scores:
UP (91) – Payosing 16, Briones 13, Stevens 12, Pre 11, Dimaculangan 11, Remogat 10, Ududo 10, Yñiguez 4, Bayla 2, Alter 2, Franco 0, Palanca 0.
UE (81) – Lagat 26, Tañedo 14, Cruz-Dumont 10, Sabroso 9, Carillo 9, Vazquez 7, Jimenez 4, Robles 2, Edoukou 0, Mascariñas 0, Santos 0, Dungca 0, Apostol 0, Perez 0, Javier 0.
Quarterscores: 21-25, 45-48, 73-65, 91-81.
