The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons kicked off its UAAP Season 84 campaign on a losing note as defending champions Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles prevailed in the ‘Battle of Katipunan,’ 90-81, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
As UP struggled with offense at the start, Ateneo took advantage and established an 11-point lead, 46-35, by the first half. But the Fighting Maroons came out swinging in the third quarter as CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf traded shorts to pull the maroon shirts to within five, 46-41.
Still, Ateneo doused UP’s fire with a 19-5 run early in the fourth quarter, pushing their lead to as much as 20 points.
Despite struggling with free throws, the maroon-and-white showed signs of life towards the end of the fourth frame and trimmed the deficit to seven, thanks to Zavier Lucero’s clutch free throws at the 2:26 mark.
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The Maroons’ late-game heroics, however, were not enough to salvage the match for UP as Blue Eagle SJ Belangel scored five consecutive points to keep the team on track to their first win of the season.
With the victory, Ateneo extends its nine-match winning streak against UP from head-to-head matches since Season 80.
Cansino impressed in his UP debut, leading the Maroons with 21 points, five rebounds and three steals. Tailing him is Senegalese standout Diouf landing 15 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
Rookie sensation Carl Tamayo also put up a remarkable double-double performance with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Dave Ildefonso and Ange Kouame spearheaded the Blue Eagles’ winning charge with 19 and 11 points apiece.
UP Men’s Basketball player CJ Cansino and head coach Goldwin Monteverde, both debutants in the Fighting Maroons, speak to the media after the team’s loss to the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles on March 26.
Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde remained optimistic with the team’s potential to thrive in UAAP 84 despite the loss, saying the team is still “a work in progress.”
“Playing the defending champions in the first game, malaking bagay ‘yun para sa kanila — to get that experience early on sa start ng season, to try to see what to work on. Whatever happened in today’s game would be beneficial to learn and grow as a team,” Monteverde said during the postgame interview.
UP looks to bounce back from the defeat as they take on Season 82 finalists UST Growling Tigers on March 29.
QUARTER SCORES: 26-18, 46-35, 71-54, 90-81
