The struggling UE squad forged a late comeback bid in the final frame to close in on UP by nine points. But the maroon shirts charged to stretch the gap with a 12-4 run to lock in their tenth win of the season and the twice-to-beat advantage in the playoff round.
With an explosive start unlike any of their previous matches, UP delivered a string of three-pointers and a tight defensive stance from the get-go. Their 31-point blast marked their highest opening quarter production of the season yet.